Rocky View Schools (RVS) and the Town of Cochrane released the Master Site Plan for the future development of the Horse Creek Sports Park, a vision for the quarter section immediately north of Heritage Hills.
The project is the culmination of a collaboration between the Town of Cochrane, Rocky View Schools, the Town Parks and Recreation Committee, and local community user groups.
The land was purchased by RVS in 2015 as a future high school site. As these lands are currently located within Rocky View County, a formal annexation agreement was submitted to the Municipal Government Board in November of 2018 to move these lands within Town boundaries. Approval of the application is anticipated in the upcoming week.
"Rocky View Schools is pleased to be collaborating with the Town of Cochrane in the development of this parcel of land that will result in overall infrastructure cost saving to our jurisdiction and the town," said RVS' Board Chair Todd Brand. "The synergy of this project and the subsequent amenities will benefit the students and community of Cochrane for many years to come."
Approximately 30 acres will be dedicated school site, with the Town developing the remaining 128 acres. In addition to the school, the Master Site Plan includes 11 acres for Town maintenance and Transit facilities and 117 acres for future recreational uses including a quad ball diamond; multiple soccer/rugby fields; outdoor skating rinks; playgrounds; a central clubhouse facility; bike facilities including a pump track, skills park and flow park; and an extensive pathway and trail network with a viewpoint.
The development of this site will be phased in over a number of years, with a significant portion of the funding to come from fundraising efforts from local sports groups.
"Developing the Horse Creek Sports Park will help address the needs of the growing active recreational groups in town," said Mayor Jeff Genung. "The synergy of a high school and recreational space makes perfect sense. This development will provide even more opportunities for students and residents to enjoy a wider variety of amenities close to home."
In developing the Master Site Plan, the Town consulted with local recreational user groups, Inter Pipeline, and the Parks and Recreation Committee, who was instrumental in guiding and refining the vision for this property.
The Town will proceed with redesignation and subdivision applications throughout 2019, with plans to service the property in 2020. Following this, formal onsite development may commence including the Town maintenance and transit facilities. The development of the High School site will not proceed until required by Rocky View Schools.
