(Cochrane, AB) – At a Special Council meeting this evening, Town Council endorsed Administration providing a letter of support to Conseil scolaire FrancoSud for a future school site in Southbow Landing, helping advance plans for a Francophone Grades 7-12 school in Cochrane.
The letter of support will enable FrancoSud to include the site in its application to the Government of Alberta for planning and design funding. The endorsement is conditional on FrancoSud securing provincial funding for the project.
In addition, Council directed Administration to continue working with all impacted school boards to identify and secure additional school sites to meet future needs as Cochrane grows.
“With all the growth our community is facing, Cochrane is behind on much of our infrastructure and facilities, and schools are no exception,” said Mayor Nagel. “We're doing everything we can to get caught up on our community's essential services, and we're fully committed to working with every school board to get them all the sites they need. Giving the FrancoSud school district a home for a proper high school is the path to get Cochrane's families the most schools possible, as quickly as possible.”
Currently, Rocky View Schools (RVS) has an interest in the subject site located in Southbow Landing. The Province has recently committed funding for two additional RVS schools in Cochrane—a high school and a K–8 school—helping address current capacity pressures.
The Town remains committed to working with Rocky View Schools to identify and secure an additional school site to support future students and community growth.
Council’s decision supports advancing Francophone education opportunities in Cochrane while balancing the needs of multiple school boards and planning for long-term development.
Further updates will be shared as the project progresses and as discussions with school boards continue.