Historic Downtown Cochrane Centre of Attention

Walking through Cochrane’s Historic Downtown district is like walking back through time. The Town has worked hard to ensure the architecture reflects the area’s ranching legacy and are drawing up plans to enhance the town centre even more.

At a recent council meeting, timelines were established for the redevelopment of Historic Downtown Cochrane with the goal of firming them up by spring and securing the funding to start the enhancement project this year. 

Discussion regarding ways to spiff up the centre of town among Cochrane councilors had fallen by the wayside recently in lieu of other more pressing matters. However, all members are back on board, initiating excellent ideas to keep Historic Downtown busy and thriving.

Renovations Underway

Some of the issues which have kept residents from coming downtown or visitors from Calgary from driving out for the day have been traffic, parking spots, and lighting. Council also wants to add decorative touches such as banners, landscaping and archways.

Some of the costly parts of the enhancement project will be the installation of public washrooms which are badly needed according to downtown businesses who must deal with public demand for washroom facilities on a daily basis. Council has noted that one of the goals in improving the Historic Downtown area is to create a gathering point for special events in Cochrane to encourage the patronage of local residents and to draw in tourists. Historic Downtown should provide people with experiences they won’t find in their own communities.

Initiative Plans Being Established

Concept plans are being drawn up and early cost estimates established. It’s hoped that this will be done next month so that hard timelines and a solid budget can be established. A committee to redevelop Historic downtown has been struck and will convene in March to review the initial concept plans. The earliest that the committee can present a budget to council will be May, at which time council may have to adjust their spring budget to accommodate the work downtown.

The initiative is not a new one. Revitalizing the downtown area of Cochrane was part of the Integrated Downtown Action plan released 18 months ago. In this plan, the Old Town Hall Site was targeted for redevelopment, the streetscape was identified as needing a face lift, washrooms were called for and improving pedestrian safety and parking was included.

Visitor Information

The Cochrane Visitor Information Centre is located in Historic Downtown Cochrane at 521 1st Street West. A seasonal facility, the centre is open May to October from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, and open October to May 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or noon–4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Cochrane is right in the heart of cattle country along the Cowboy Trail, also known as Highway 22 that stretches from the Crowsnest Pass north to Mayerthorpe, along the Alberta foothills.

Cochrane is just 20 minutes to the north and west of Calgary and less than an hour’s drive to Banff. Every year, Cochrane hosts community events from marathons and road races to skateboard competitions and rodeos.

Historic Downtown offers quaint shops, interesting boutiques, restaurants and Cochrane’s infamous MacKay’s Ice Cream Shop, known throughout Western Canada.