Mayor Jeff Genung is relieved and "super thrilled" over the decision to set aside the Glenbow East reservoir option for flood/drought mitigation on the Bow River.
Rebecca Schulz, minister of Environment and Protected Areas, announced today (Sept. 25) the relocation of the Ghost dam would be pursued instead of a reservoir east of Cochrane that could have had a detrimental impact upon six Bow River parks and backwash water into existing and future development in Cochrane.
RELATED NEWS: Decision to relocate Ghost dam good news for Cochrane, parks
"I'm just so relieved that the province heard our concerns, listened to our efforts in trying to convince them to go west. This option, as we outlined to them in our efforts, protects Cochrane," said Mayor Genung, during a brief phone interview between sessions of the Alberta Municipalities convention in Red Deer. "The downstream option did not provide any relief from flood or drought. So, yeah, super happy."
He praised Minister Schulz for keeping her promise of announcing a decision this month. It had previously been scheduled to be announced in December. That appeared to change after a major uproar was caused by a group "Save Bow River Parks" was created by the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation.
In June, Urban Systems was commissioned by the town to complete a preliminary review of the possible implementations of the province proceeding with the Glenbow East reservoir option. Millions of dollars in infrastructure were deemed to be in harm's way.
RELATED NEWS: Glenbow East option could cost Cochrane millions
The town went on record as opposed to the option and put its weight behind supporting the Ghost dam relocation and expansion.
"Our infrastructure and transportation network, the rec centre, homes, all of it was threatened, and everybody's been up in arms about it. It's a huge decision."
Now the town will be able to move forward with initiatives that were left dangling in the wind.
"They were all hanging in the wings until we were sure where this location was going to be announced. Now we can start to move forward with some certainty."
Genung did not receive the news first-hand from Minister Schulz but says he will thank her in person tomorrow during a scheduled meeting at the Red Deer convention.