Initiatives launched by the Town of Cochrane in 2021 will continue to bear fruit in the coming year and beyond.

The town had a robust list of nearly $50 million in infrastructure projects that included $13 million in improvements to the Hwy. 1A corridor, a $23 million Protective Services Building, and a $4.3 million Transit Hub/Innovation Centre. It also continued to develop and improve upon relationships with other jurisdictions.

In an extensive year-end interview, Mayor Jeff Genung touched upon these and other highlights of the year and took a quick peek at some of the things we can expect in the coming year.

Mayor Genung says addressing the traffic issue, something that is top of mind for Cochrane residents, was at the top of the list of accomplishments in 2021.

Major improvements to the east entrance to town are well underway, and we're now seeing the adjustments to Centre St. taking shape.

He had anticipated some negative feedback during the early construction phase and says most of that has now passed.

"It went from just everybody being upset with the congestion that was, and then the congestion that was caused by the initial project, and now that has subsided. I feel like we've made a big dent in that. People are starting to see some of that congestion subside and seeing the fruits of our years of labour."

The town was successful in lobbying the province to have the twinning of the balance of Hwy. 1A through town to coincide with the Hwy. 1A-Hwy. 22 interchange project. It also successfully negotiated the twinning of Hwy. 22 to Sunset Boulevard. By doing so, a second turning lane from the boulevard onto southbound Hwy. 22 can be developed.

The new Protective Services Building that's now under construction has been on the town's books for years.

"You know, you don't have to go very far inside the front doors of our existing RCMP detachment to realize how badly it's needed. To see that break ground and make space for years of growth for the existing RCMP detachment is exciting."

He believes having the entire town council re-elected was beneficial.

"The outcome, with all of us being returned in the exact same order, provided us an opportunity of time to not have to educate and orient a new council member or a couple. It was a vote of confidence from the community that we're on the track on most things and to keep up the good work."

Genung was uncontested for mayor, although he was gearing up for an election race.

The mayor says the 10 per cent property tax increase council approved shortly after being re-elected was a tough pill to swallow, but necessary. He says it's needed to maintain the level of service Cochranites expect, and that most of the positions created were boots on the ground, not administrative.

He defends the administrative positions that were created and believes they will hugely benefit the community. 

Genung points to the example of the need for an intergovernmental affairs manager. He says a great deal of that work is already been handled off the corner of the desks by those who already have a full workload.

"I've already been talking to Alberta Transportation about the Bow River Bridge, about Hwy. 22 all the way to Hwy. 1 that needs to be addressed, and how Hwy. 1A going up the Cochrane hill needs to be widened. It's a never-ending push, and we need to keep the pedal to the metal with the province. That's just one example of a position that's much needed."

It's nearly been a year since Chief Administrative Officer Mike Derricott was hired, and the mayor praises the leadership Derricott has been providing. It was particularly noticeable in the way the town budget was presented. This time around, the budget wasn't a negotiation between council and administration; it was presented as a must-have.

"This is the first year I've felt we've had a CAO who's invested and leads with principles and values. It's just a breath of fresh air. Mike and I are aligned on a lot of things; we don't agree on everything, but we are in alignment on how we agree to disagree. You can't argue with values and principles if you stick with them and lead by them. It's been a huge change, and I think that's part of the outcome you're seeing in the budget."

Since being elected mayor in 2017, Genung has been working towards strengthening the town's connection with the Stoney Nakoda Nation. 

"I'm excited that we're leaning into that. We're making that a priority, we're going to continue to reach out and do the things that good neighbours should do, quite frankly. I don't think it has to be so difficult. Sometimes we make it more difficult than it needs to be."

He sees value in forming something similar to an intermunicipal committee (IMC) with the Stoney Nakoda Nation. 

Recently, the town and Stoney Nakoda Nation made a joint submission for a CEDI grant to work on joint economic development initiatives. The application was shortlisted, but as of yet the recipients haven't been announced. He remains confident they'll be awarded the grant.

"I'm looking forward to having an ongoing, honest, open dialogue with our Stoney Nakoda First Nations people. Truth and Reconciliation have been front of mind for many and should be, but that's not always been my driver. From my perspective, we could do both. We have a lot of listening and learning to do as far as Truth and Reconciliation is concerned, but again, rekindling relationships with human beings is something I'm truly passionate about, whether its First Nations or not."

He says relations with Rocky View County (RVC) have been showing signs of improvement since the municipal election and the appointment of Rocky View Mayor Don Kachan and Deputy Mayor Crystal Kissel, who both reside near Cochrane.

He's looking forward to continuing to build that relationship.

"The relationship and the communications I've had with him (Kochan) since the election has been more positive, more often, and of a better outcome than I think all of the conversations I've had with the previous two reeves of the first term. So, we're off on the right foot."

He says the first IMC meeting between the two municipalities had a positive vibe and focused on becoming better partners.

He believes the negotiation of a new recreation agreement will be the first test. Genung is hoping it will be finalized by mid-2022.

"Then we can stand up together as two communities and say we're sharing the load, and agree upon a user-pay philosophy for our recreation facilities in our communities. We can put that negative experience behind both of us, and we can do work and collaborate for the benefit of the entire region."

Development is also on the upswing in Cochrane after dropping substantially during the province's economic downturn and the early stages of the pandemic.

"I don't know the assessment growth numbers yet, but development and planning services were overrun with permits from people doing additions to their homes, adding decks, renovating their basement, and even new builds. I think the last time I looked, we were on track to add 700 new single-family dwelling units in Cochrane, which are numbers that are pre-COVID."

In comparison, he says communities of like-size are bracing to see 400 new homes built.

"Cochrane continues to be a community that is a desirable place to be. The secrets out, and people want to be here."

Topping the list for 2022 is the proposed creation of a passenger rail service from Calgary to Banff that will include a whistle-stop in Cochrane.

"Mass transit is going to be front and centre right out of the gate. It will be interesting to see where that lands and what it is we can do as communities to help move it forward."

He chairs the alliance of Bow Valley communities pushing for the mass transit project. The committee's first meeting of 2022 is slated for the first week of January.

If the project does proceed, rail service might available by late 2025. He says that's not as far away as it sounds. He says the town would need to provide space and funding for a train station at the transit hub site. That cost isn't currently in the town's 10-year capital plan.

As for the ongoing battle with the pandemic, Genung praises residents for their fortitude.

"With COVID, I'm just happy and pleased with the way Cochranites and the town have navigated what was again another rollercoaster year."