While completion of the Horse Creek Sports Park master plan is a big check mark off the list, the Parks and Recreation Committee of the Town of Cochrane has a number of other ongoing projects.

Town councillor Tara McFadden, committee chair, says they continue to work through the priorities set at the beginning of the year with an eye on what they will tackle next year.

Currently, the committee is nearing the end of bringing forward a sponsorship policy for town council.

Committee chair Tara McFadden

“Sponsorship can be an excellent way to help raise funds to build projects and ensure their ongoing sustainability.,” says McFadden. “The committee has been doing some really great work in developing the policy and are going through the administrative process to bring it to council.”

The committee is also looking at the feasibility of Cochrane attracting summer, winter or senior games. Having the appropriate recreational amenities is crucial to make bids for games and the committee is examining the deficiencies that currently exist.

Looking forward to 2020, the committee is interested in developing an overall master parks plan for Cochrane, with a particular interest in Mitford Park and the Cochrane Ranche.

“When you start to look at these parks, what do we as a community really want to see and what do we value in our experience at Cochrane Ranche and Mitford? That might be something we look at next year.”

Town council has the final say on their pursuits, but it is a committee deeply-rooted in the community. All but McFadden are members of the public with a cross-section of interests represented.

The committee was struck in March 2018 and was fully on its feet by the fall. They've since held delegation days to hear from sports and recreation groups and will continue to do so going forward. This is the first time Cochrane residents have had a direct say in the leisurely and recreational priorities of the town.

“The committee is a super great group to work with. They really are having a significant say on parks and recreation in Cochrane.”

On Monday, town council endorsed the Horse Creek Sports Park master plan that resulted from a collaborative effort of town administration, the parks and recreation committee, user groups and Rocky View Schools.