"Cochrane Centre"
An alternative concept for Cochrane's Former Domtar site.
Presented by:
BlindDrop Design Inc. & Dean Cole Design
Cochrane, Alberta
January 25, 2007
Please note:
This is a conceptual plan and we are looking for feedback and suggestions from the community so we can move this to the next stage.
Introduction
We would like to respond to both sides of the Domtar/Springwood/Wal-mart/DARP issue with a feasible and creative alternative. We presented this alternative concept at the Town meeting last Thursday at the RanchHouse and have received some great initial feedback. We hope our concept will bring some focus to a realistic and profitable alternative that would be for the good of the community. This idea has emerged from within the community and is for the community.
Like most people in this town, we have never stepped foot on what remains of the former Domtar site. The high fences, the contamination, the boarded up buildings create an uninviting space, seemingly void of humanity.
The irony here is that this contaminated industrial site is at the heart of Cochrane. As developments continually spring up around the outskirts, Cochrane’s needs for a strong community center will equally increase.
This is a Golden Opportunity.
This land is Cochrane’s centerpiece; it is the heart of Cochrane.
We have been courted by one developer’s idea for a development that is 100% retail. Is this what Cochrane really needs at its core? Has this land, along with a cohesive and well-planned concept for its use, been offered up to other investors and developers?
This town has taken the initiative and used its creative vision to produce the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan. DARP’s momentum can keep rolling and we can find a better suited use for this land in the heart of Cochrane.
Let’s look to the success of the Bow RiversEdge Campground, a premier facility, which is a fantastic example of collective effort from the Alberta Government 2005 Centennial Initiative, to the local Rotary and Lions clubs, the Town itself and to private investors – this is truly a community success!
Yes, this is a larger scale project, due to the size of the land and also the cost of the clean up, but that is progress; progress is expansion. The former Domtar site is the town’s next hurdle.
Is the current developer suggesting they’ll help us duck underneath this hurdle and provide an easier way out, if we just change our rule book? Perhaps. But at what short and long term cost to our town?
Let’s embrace this opportunity to clean up the center of Cochrane, to the best of our abilities, on an ongoing basis over the next 20 years. In the long run, our community would be able to channel revenue into research and development of a full clean up, or at least minimizing the effects of the underground contamination. This contamination is not just unique to Cochrane; there are similar contaminated sites across the entire country. Perhaps Cochrane can once again set the standards and find a solution that will be applicable across our nation!
Background
This golden opportunity to provide a true town center will benefit the entire town and its surrounding communities. The concept that Dean and Lucas are introducing tonight is in response to both sides of the Domtar/Springwood/Big Box/Wal-mart issue. Yes, retail will be an aspect of this project but it is far from making it the sole purpose.
Our goal is to create a centre that is a hub; a microcosm that reflects Cochrane’s macrocosm in location, services and character.
It would fill this heartland of the community with the culmination of our collective dreams, our individual talents and our vision for the future.
This revitalized area is “Cochrane Centre.”
Our Approach
Cochrane Centre is not just a large retail outlet, it is an experience.
It is a Family Entertainment Centre.
It challenges the imagination; it is fun, interactive, constantly changing and adapting. It is the true Centre of a town that needs just that: a dominant multifaceted center, not just selling to its visitors, but sharing the heart of the community with its surrounding neighbors and visitors from around the world.
It is this place that conveys the same spirit and themes as our downtown Cochrane, today.
Why not create a space that is community-focused, tourism-based, encouraging recreation, creativity, yes, fun and games, and alternative activities in Winter AND Summer?
What does the new Cochrane Centre feature?
- It is a feasible plan that matches the same timeframe and budget as the proposed Springwood Project.
- All facilities are enclosed, making them perfect for year-round activity and is more economical to heat than separate buildings.
- Themed buildings, promoting both Cochrane’s heritage and contemporary vision.
- Year-round natural park settings, while enclosed, could still be with full adherence to DARP standards.
- Full security of parking and building area.
- Offers diverse alternatives to winter sports such as skiing and skating.
- Complimentary services and satellite retail shops for local small businesses.
- Multicultural emphasis promoting surrounding native communities, activities and businesses.
- Also, full retail, light industrial, restaurants, tourist attractions, Arts and recreational facilities.
- Employment that is not just retail. Employment sustained by diversity through Retail, Tourism, Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness and Education.
- This combination offers a far better revenue stream can be aimed at appropriate funding for continual clean up; far beyond what one developer can, or should, be responsible for.
Cochrane Centre does NOT compete with local business and facilities, but promotes and enhances them through careful planning and an inclusive development process.
Cochrane Centre provides year-round services to:
- Local and visiting families
- Our local youth
- Tourists from around the world
- Local businesses
- Neighboring farms
- Local and International Educators
- Nearby native communities
- Town celebrations
- Art & Culture Events
- Calgarians (who have had enough of just shopping and need some downtime and entertainment outside the city).
Let’s offer something that is NOT duplicated fifteen minutes away or even two hours away! Let’s create something that many visitors and locals make the pilgrimage each day FROM Calgary TO Cochrane” to enjoy!
Features
Here’s a list of some of the features we thought might work well within this concept. For Arts & Culture |
Performing Arts Theatre- a unique, and properly designed, theatre could provide the venue for local, provincial, national and international shows. Perhaps an amphitheatre or a “Theatre in the Round” at the very heart of the centre! |
Fine Art Space – Functional art rooms & studios providing access for teaching, space rentals, properly ventilated and accessible. Consider hosting artist visits and exchanges. |
Touring Museum Space – A multi-faceted gallery that can be used as an Art Gallery for local artists or as a Touring Museum, similar to Calgary’s Glenbow Museum’s exhibitions. |
Sculpture – Commissioned pieces by local or even international artists for placement throughout the Centre.
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Cultural Exchange Centre – With the recent success and rich cultural sharing made by the visiting Guatemalan group, what if a portion of this centre was used to promote ongoing exchanges, explorations in language and culture? |
For Business & Tourism |
Bow RiversEdge Campground – Cochrane Centre would provide far more than retail services to visitors staying at this all-season campground. It would provide huge entertainment value and would keep tourists in town for longer visits. The Campground and the Cochrane Centre would greatly influence and support each other’s services.
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Local Business vendors – Local businesses could be given a special rate to provide their services and goods within the Centre, thereby allowing them increased revenue year round. Starting with vendor cart rentals to shared or full office and retail space.
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New local and satellite business space – for light industrial, commercial, professional services. |
Promotion of Eco-tourism – A seasonal and yearly promotion of surrounding eco-tourism based businesses, perhaps with interactive games specific to the nature of the businesses. |
“The Best of Cochrane” Restaurant – Order from a great selection of meals from a wide variety of restaurants and cafés found in and around Cochrane all from one menu. |
Nightclubs – Two possible alternatives: one reflecting heritage and our Cochrane Hotel, the other a contemporary nightclub, perhaps two levels with dance music, popular DJs – making both a hotspot for nightly entertainment. |
Hotel Accommodations & “Stay & Play” – An international hotel onsite as a great option for those wishing to stay in Cochrane, enjoy the Centre, while other family members go skiing for the day. Also great as a stopover for people coming from the Calgary airport. |
Souvenir Shop – a wide range of souvenirs providing a glimpse at Cochrane’s heritage, artisans and tourist attractions. |
High-speed Internet Satellite Offices - for Calgary office workers who do not need to commute everyday but cannot work from home. Reduces pollution, keeps population and money in town. Brings Calgary business dollars straight to Cochrane. Use of ASP servers promoted. |
For Recreation |
Climbing Wall – a great place to practice indoor climbing with professional instruction. |
A unique, conceptual golf course – All enclosed, this dual golf course offers split levels for separate adult and children levels, making it a fun challenge for the whole family |
Enclosed adventure trails and pathway system – yes, in appreciation of Cochrane’s extensive path system and health conscious events a diverse path interconnects different facilities and exists around the perimeter. |
Interactive Rides & Games: - A Lazy river ride , a slow meandering ride that carries visitors around the entire complex without getting wet. Another possible ride is a train ride that can carry visitors around the site.
- Hang-glider and/or Para-sailing Simulator - using simulated footage taken from Cochrane’s own Big Hill. (Promotes Mueller Wind Sports) A great alternative for those not up to the real thing and great promotion of wind sports year-round.
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Health & Fitness - A complimentary space for Body, Spirit & Mind supporting the large collective of health and well-being businesses and organizations in and around Cochrane. |
For Community |
Childcare Facilities – A themed and full functional childcare facilities for both visitors & residents. |
The Cochrane Marketplace – can be promoted and a year-round market can be supported in the Cochrane Centre’s enclosed space, just as the Calgary Farmer’s Market has been successfully integrated into the former Currie Barracks. |
Seniors Day Centre – Not a Bethany Care Centre or Big Hill Lodge, but a facility aimed at the retired community, offering senior-centric support and space, all managed by well-trained staff. |
A Volunteer Centre – to be a nucleus for volunteer offices and activities, supporting and promoting volunteer activities in Cochrane. |
Conference Centre – A multi-purpose conference area for many uses. |
Native Community Centre – Cochrane is the closest town and shares the same valley as the Stoney Nation Native Reserve. Cochrane is in a fantastic location to be a liaison and promoter of the native community and culture. The Cochrane Centre would be at the heart of the community |
These are just some of the ideas possible for this new centre.
The point is that this space promotes far more than retail and answers the current and future needs of Cochrane on so many levels, while providing a massive potential for revenue through a variety of revenue streams.
Please note: This is a conceptual plan and we are looking for feedback and suggestions from the community so we can move this to the next stage.
Other Considerations:
- Bow RiversEdge Campground – Already a successful tourist destination, the campground is situated nearby Cochrane Centre and would be an abundant partner, as nearly all visitors will pass by Cochrane Centre on the way to the campground. The Centre’s facilities would increase longer stays and more money spent locally. The Campground would facilitate tourist traffic by providing large groups to stay nearby while attending events at the Centre.
- Well-designed rest areas – for relaxation, contemplation and restoration.
- Solar & Wind Power – reflecting the efforts of Cochrane High School’s Sustainable Development project.
- Dual Ticket System – When receiving services at an independent local business, customer receives a complimentary pass or tickets for the Centre to promote awareness and to make a visitor’s stay longer in town.
- Entertainment Centre, not Theme Park – As a diverse entertainment centre with limited rides and amusement games; Cochrane Centre will compliment the rides at Calaway Park and would enhance the local entertainment circuit.
“Clean it and they will come.”
Regarding Clean up of the site:
Clean up is simply part of the process, although it is a huge challenge, it is undeniably important we focus on containing and cleaning it as we can.
A large majority of the site can be scraped and cleared of surface contamination, making initial development possible. The more contaminated areas, no matter who the developer, will need to be turned into a parking lot or something similar for the short term and keeping it accessible to Alberta Environmental for the future, once clean up is possible.
Clean up, by the way, should be the main emphasis when discussing this land, not seeing it as something blocking revenue, but something that could, and has, affected our hometown environment. The potential is very real that our big neighbor downstream could be affected in the same time span as the proposed developer’s scope of its development’s impact on Cochrane.
Springwood's last noted timeline:
- Construction starts 2008
- First business opens 2009
- Entire project finished by 2012
To follow the current developer’s proposal, a plan, budget and development timeline could easily match their finish time of 2012. At the Town meeting, Springwood noted that the potential budget could well go over $100 Million and take until 2015 to fully complete.
For more information or to provide feedback regarding this alternative project, please contact:
Lucas Arnatt at 932-6979 or contact Lucas via email
Dean Cole at 851-0921, go to Dean Cole's Web site
