Mark Sept. 12 on your calendar if you want to provide input on how Cochrane should be utilizing three pieces of downtown public land.

The Tri-Site Task Force is holding a "Let's Talk Round Up" for anyone or any group wanting to provide input. It will be the last public event held by the task force before it begins wading through the information and data accumulated.

The Round-Up is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion from 4 to 8 p.m. and will utilize a world cafe approach to discussing the land in question, explains task force chair Councillor Susan Flowers.

"All the committee members will be there so people can formally gather a group and talk about their ideas or speak individually to the facilitators and get their ideas put on the flipchart."

The task force will also be making a presentation on what has been heard and gathered so far.

The three sites in question vary in size. The largest is the 5th Ave. land, home to the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park, Boys and Girls Club and was also the site of the since-demolished Big Hill Leisure Pool. There's also a one-acre parcel adjacent to the Nan Boothby Memorial Library and a piece of land just across the street that was originally purchased to be used as the town's transit hub.

So far, the task force has received formal presentations from 12 groups and will be hearing from three more, says Flowers. They've also been collecting feedback through the town's Let's Talk Cochrane website.

"It's been a whirlwind," says Flowers. "There's so much to do and so many people to talk to. It's a real opportunity to try and collect some innovative ideas from residents to meet the needs of Cochrane."

She's excited about the possibilities and appreciates the input received so far. She's also impressed with the dedication of the task force to work through the summer.

"We've received tons of ideas. We're trying to think big and the sky's the limit to start with. Then we'll have to start funneling out the ideas that don't really work or aren't practical. The committee is really excited about getting to that point."

She strongly encourages people to come out to the Round-Up.

"People should come out and talk about it because it is such an opportunity to create something new and special."

The task force will be presenting recommendations to town council, who will make the final decision. When it does come before council, likely in November, they hope to present high-level drawings illustrating the themes of each property. 

The task force is formed by a cross-section of seven members-at-large plus one representative from both the Cochrane Lions Club and Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area. Chair Susan Flowers is a nonvoting member.