Higher inventory levels consistent throughout surrounding area

Alberta's economic downturn caught up with the residential housing industry outside of Calgary in the third quarter as price declined for the first time in 2015, says a new report from CREB®.

Despite the slight scale back, prices remained relatively resilient when compared to double-digit declines in sales that sparked a rise in inventory levels.

In its latest surrounding area quarterly summary, CREB® reported benchmark prices from July to September fell by 0.41 per cent from the previous quarter to $433,033. That compares to gains realized in the two previous quarters.

Urban planners designing with public places in mind

Placemaking, the popular term coined by urban planners to address the management of public spaces, is slowly weaving into the fabric of Calgary's burgeoning satellite communities.

Local planners say the concept, once reserved for major metropolises, is becoming a focal point in the respective redevelopment of their existing spaces and development of new ones.

"It's a key element for us," said Tracy Corbett, manager of planning and sustainable development at the City of Airdrie. "We hear time and time again in our citizen surveys that parks and pathways come out number one on what people really value about Airdrie.

"There are not a lot of natural amenities – a river or a lake. So you have to work a little harder at creating great place and effective placemaking."

Cycling Calgary's surrounding communities

On the rim of on-street bike lane initiatives in Calgary, more cyclists are looking to transport safe pedal-power to smaller cities around southern Alberta.

Met with controversy by some motorists, Calgary has approved 260 kilometres of on-street, 3.1-metre wide bike lanes to go along with a 550-kilometre pathway system.

While bike lanes may be the trail to two-wheel success in Calgary, many smaller centres are relying on an array of paved and non-paved pathways to accommodate a growing number of free-wheeling travellers.

But while multi-use pathway systems may be an attractive option for recreational riders and casual commuters, hard-core on-street distance riders like Nick Lynem have experienced some road sharing concerns with automobiles.

Design updated following 2013 floods

The newest addition to Cochrane's parks and pathways system is set to open later this month.

Following a redesign after the 2013 floods, Riverfront Park will open on Aug. 29 with a ceremony featuring the Cochrane Pipe Band, a Native Elder blessing, First Nations dancers, and remarks from Wild Rose MP Blake Richards, Banff-Cochrane MLA Cam Westhead and Cochrane Mayor Ivan Brooker.

Riverfront Park is one of a new generation of urban parks that showcase natural areas within an urban environment. The park has been in planning since the Open Spaces Master Plan was approved by Council in 2012. Changes were made to the design after the 2013 floods, but senior manager of community services Suzanne Gaida thinks the final design is even better.

New museum provides perspective of just how far growing town has come

Gordon Davies's roots run deep in Cochrane.

His family moved to the area in the early part of the 20th century, while Davies himself is president of the Cochrane Historical & Archival Preservation Society (CHAPS).

The society, in fact, is behind the new Cochrane Historical Museum, which opened May 31 and was nearly two decades in the making, according to Davies.

"Unlike many towns, Cochrane has never had a museum dedicated to its local history," he said, noting CHAPS has been planning the museum since the society's inception in 1999.

The Town of Cochrane has released it's schedule for the 2015 Streets Improvement Project.

Work is scheduled for:

• Glenbow Dr. from Fifth Ave. to Highway 22


• Railway St. from Nan Boothby Library to Charlesworth Ave.


• Fifth Ave. from Griffin Rd. to CPR tracks


• Benchlands Dr. and Benchlands Pl.


• Powell St. between Ross and Pope Ave.

The past, present and future of secondary suites in the city

Calgary is a city on the move. Energy sector uncertainty aside, cranes continue to dot the skyline and new communities continue to blossom along the outskirts.

However, despite years of debate, a familiar topic seems poised to remain as a burr under the saddle of the "Heart of the New West" – secondary suites.

Most recently, a council committee was tasked this week with determining whether to hold a plebiscite that would let the public decide whether suites should be allowed in neighbourhoods they're currently not zoned for. With an estimated price tag of $2 million, reports suggested city staff was fully opposed to the option.

Surrounding communities hold their value

The appeal to small-town living just a stone's throw from the "big" city is nothing new. Yet recent housing market intelligence suggests it's more than just lifestyle preferences driving homeowners beyond Calgary's borders.

While slower economic activity has influenced housing markets across the province, CREB®'s latest Surrounding Area Quarterly report found prices in areas surrounding Calgary have remained fairly stable.

Cochrane is a town on the move, with new amenities such as The Quarry development and construction of a new aquatic and curling centre. Providing diverse options for recreation is important to the town and its residents, said Mayor Ivan Brooker, who recently sat down with CREB®Now to talk about everything from new projects to why the kitchen is his favourite room in the house.

CN: How do homeowners stand to benefit from recent infrastructure announcements such as the new school in Sunset Ridge and new pool?

IB: Amenities such as our new pool and curling centre greatly enhance our resident's quality of life. Providing diverse options for recreation is very important to the Town of Cochrane.

New pathway system further connecting Calgary to its western neighbour

Cochrane's close proximity to Calgary is about to feel a whole lot closer with construction expected to get underway on the first leg of the Calgary to Cochrane Trail this summer.

Phase one of the $7.5-million project will be a 2.2-kilometre stretch entitled Bearspaw Trail, which will join Haskayne Park in northwest Calgary to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.

Phase two will include the development of Bowbend Loop and Railway Crossing, which has an expected completion date of 2018, followed by phase three, Bridge to Cochrane, which is expected to be completed by 2020.