Although 2016 was a challenging year for many Cochranites, between job loss and a down economy, Cochrane Mayor Ivan Brooker took time to reflect on the positives.

Brooker says a highlight for him is knowing the Highway 1A and 22 intersection has made the province's 'Sunshine List'.

"Through relationship building and conversation with the province during the course of the year we finally got the finalized design agreed to and we made sure they understood the importance of this, so now just the last step is just hoping the provincial dollars are there."

This is a big win for Cochrane, adds Brooker, as we have now an approved project that can be funded in the spring once the provincial budget comes down.

'Knock on wood, we have done all we can. We've spent so much time having conversation with them, making sure they understood, now I am optimistically positive."

2017 will also bring the highly anticipated opening of Cochrane's new aquatic and curling centre after a two year build.

"It is going to be a fantastic day when that facility opens; I know there's already a lot of excitement building around that, I am thankful for all the support I've been given and heard over the course of the last year and a bit. I 100% believe it was the right decision we moved on that facility when we did."

Brooker says taking precedence in 2017 will be the James Walker Trail extension and the future bridge crossing.

"We do have to finalize the details with the landowners, but I am very optimistic that we will get there. We have agreements in principle we are just working through some of the finer details of the agreement and that should come to council very early in January. We need to focus our efforts on getting that road alignment, that design on the bridge, all of those components in place so that that piece of infrastructure is there when we said it would be in the future."

Brooker says there are also a couple other key projects he is looking forward to.

"We need to start furthering the conversations on the lands where the current pool and curling rink sit, obviously those buildings will come down at some point. It is a key piece of land in the downtown core and we want to make sure we plan it properly. We have had preliminary conversations just to get the ball rolling and I hope we can get that one moved along. And, Council heard from the Calgary Regional Partnership that we're going to have a look at regional transit and I believe on January 9 we will be hearing from the people doing our local transit work; so we are going to hear about those options. As much as that will be a challenging conversation, probably, it is one we need to have." 

Although, 2017, marks Brooker's last year of his four year term, he says work never slows down.

"Work never comes to an end, there is always continuing issues that arise. It may be bad timing in election mode, but you have to still focus on the priorities and get the job done."