The Cochrane and District Agricultural Society(CDAS) has asked Rocky View County for some direction on the future of their land .

With only 8 years remaining on their lease with the County, CDAS President Justin Burwash says it is really hard for the Society to do any long term planning or invest in any capital improvements for the facility.  "The demand for our services and facilities contnues to grow - our attendance is going up, our users are going up, our fair grew by 50% last year. In order to meet the growing demand we have some significant capital plans we need to make."

In a March 2 letter to the County, CDAS proposed 2 options to deal with the Ag land going forward.  One option is a new 99 year lease with increased protection against any possible early termination.  The second option is CDAS purchase of the land for $1,000,000.

Burwash says the CDAS board has "the goal of securing a long term home for the Ag Society".  

In 2016 RV County declined the CDAS request for an extension of their lease after declaring the leased Ag Society lands as surplus.  The County then went through a request for funding process to determine interest in selling the land.  A potential purchaser was not able to meet the County's requirements and the process was ended.

READ MORE:

 AG Society Staying Put For Now