Keeping the wheels turning on 5th Ave. project

Town councillor Susan Flowers wants to make sure the wheels keep turning on redeveloping the largest of the properties examined by the town's tri-site task force over two years ago.

On Mar. 7, town council directed administration to prepare a report on the status of the downtown 5th Ave.property. It is to include steps of action.

Flowers says the Rocky View Foundation is ready to design the new Big Hill Lodge that is part of the 5th Ave. redevelopment. She believes a plan for the entire 15.3-acre parcel needs to be completed concurrently.

Her biggest fear is the work of the tri-site task force, which she chaired, will gather dust on a shelf.

"It has been a couple of years since all that work was completed, and, of course, the pandemic and economic downturn and everything have shelved it. I want to get it off the shelf and back into action."

Several organizations participated in creating the plan for all three pieces of public land in the downtown core. The first one being developed is the transit hub/innovation centre on Railway St.

"It is important that we have an organized way of making plans, developing partnerships, accessing grant funding, and ensuring that the community engagement completed by the task force is not shelved and forgotten," she stated in her notice of motion to council.

Developing the property also relies upon its two ball diamonds being relocated to future Horse Creek Sports Park. One of those diamonds is the only one suitable for use by senior teams in Cochrane Minor Ball and is the preferred diamond for adult slo-pitch leagues because of its depth. The other slightly smaller one is used by junior minor ball teams as well as adult leagues.

"They're somewhat interconnected," agrees Flowers. "I know Tara (McFadden) is anxious to move that whole project forward, and I know they're working hard, too."

Councillor Tara McFadden chairs the town's parks and recreation committee.

Flowers says her fellow councillors were receptive to the motion.

"They were really happy to have it back on the table, and agreed it's an election year and that we need to get these things moving. There's the danger that it could get shelved, and new people could be involved, and then maybe it will never happen."

The 5th Ave property use to include the Big Hill Leisure Pool and remains home to the Boys and Girls Club, Cochrane Lions Event Centre, ball diamonds, and rodeo grounds.