Cochrane has taken a major step forward in giving residents a larger role in setting the direction for parks and recreation in the community.

After a brief discussion, town council agreed to the framework provided for the new parks and recreation committee and increased the number of public members to eight while reducing town council's representation to one.

Gerry Murphy, senior manager of Community Services, brought forward the framework for the committee. It will have the authority to review and discuss existing and needed services and ways to efficiently utilize town infrastructure and programming; receive submissions to create and enhance recreational opportunities; review issues referred to the committee by town council; make recommendations to council and administration on projects and recreational opportunities and review and provide input on the capital budgets, all within the rules laid out in the town's procedural bylaw and by the Municipal Government Act.

Council took to heart Mayor Genung's suggestion of having only one councillor on the committee, a position he has taken in the past. Genung has been discouraging council from including too many councillors on committees so not to heavily influence the conversation and give ownership to the community. He pointed out, councillors have a say when it returns for a final decision.

There was a push to have two youth designated seats on the committee, but with the reduction in council representation, it became clear more than one could readily be appointed. Councillors also expressed the need to have committee members representing a broad variety of recreational pursuits.

The establishment of a parks and recreation committee follows the new council's aim to increase transparency and foster more meaningful community engagement. Previously, proposals were drawn up by the administration and presented to council, but Councillor Tara McFadden thought otherwise and gained the support of her fellow councillors in making it a public board.

McFadden sees great value in the new committee and in providing residents meaningful input.

"This is a chance for the community to come together and start to see and understand what our recreational priorities are and then how we can make those things happen."

"We really want to make sure this was about the people of Cochrane, so that's why there are eight members of the public on this and we were particularly making sure we have youth and senior reps and just one council rep. The idea is to make sure the community tells us what they want for Cochrane and how we get there."

McFadden was pushing for two seats firmly designated for youth to give them a stronger voice and a comfort level in a room otherwise full of adults. She says there is still the opportunity to have more than one youth at the table.

"That's what I really like about it. Our youth are a pretty bright group in Cochrane and they offer a different perspective It will be great to hear their voice on something that's really important to them."

Murphy told council he believes the committee could be up and running by late May.