Calgary Co-op breaks ground on new retail complex in Cochrane

Site will bring shops and amenities to new community that will be home to about 1,800

Calgary Co-op has broken ground on a retail complex in Cochrane, in the new community of Greystone. On a choice six acres of land, it is part of the former 150-acre gravel pit owned by Burnswest Properties that is developing it into a residential community that at build-out will provide homes for around 1,800 residents.

The Co-op location, close to the Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre, will bring to Cochrane a 42,000-squarefoot standard food store with pharmacy. It will include a name brand retail Co-op Wine Spirits Beer store, cannabis location and convenience store, as well as a six-pump gas station and double touchless car wash.

Co-op already owns and operates a Wine Spirits Beer Store in Cochrane, located in the Morley Plaza in the Heartland community off the 1A Highway.

“We are committed to serve the communities our members live, work and shop in,” says Ken Keelor, CEO of Calgary Co-op. “Our expansion in Cochrane provides its residents with an exciting new option when shopping. Those who are looking to get more from their grocery store will appreciate our exclusive member benefits, the huge array of local products we carry, our unique programs, private brands and our community support.”

The Co-op site will also offer 31,000 square feet of commercial retail space for lease.

Damon Tanzola, senior vice-president of real estate and development and pharmacy, says: “The additional space will be home to a unique and diverse needed mix of restaurants and retailers, creating a convenient destination in the heart of Cochrane.”

B&A Planning Group was responsible for the urban plan. Designed by the Calgary office of Zeidler Architecture, the Co-op complex has been awarded to CANA Construction as builder, and expected to welcome shoppers by summer of 2025. During the construction process it will create upwards of 700 jobs, and when opened will provide employment for approximately 150 local hires.

The town is recognized as the fastest growing in Alberta, with a current population of approximately 39,000.

Tanzola and his team are also busy on several other developments in Calgary.

A new gas station and car wash are already open at the North

Hill Calgary Co-op centre, where Royop is redeveloping the legacy grocery store as 40,000-squarefeet at ground level with 189 residential units above, and another approximately 5,000 square feet of accompanying retail at grade.

The Co-op owns lands in Oakridge, where its new store — being built adjacent to its current grocery store — is well under construction and will be ready to open in spring of 2025. The present store will be demolished and residual land made available for possible future residential development.

The upbeat district of Marda Loop will also be home to a new Co-op store, of a smaller urban format to fit into the developable area between 33rd and

34th avenues. A mixed-use site, community engagement will be held within the next couple of weeks to determine the needs of the local community. NORR Architects will design the Co-op store and adjacent retail.

Calgary Co-op has more than 44,000 members in the city and surrounding areas, 3,850 employees, assets of $700 million and annual sales of $1.3 billion.

NOTES:

Trico Homes has renewed its sponsorship of Cavalry Football Club, designating Trico as a proud partner. Building on a successful relationship since 2021, Trico will extend its previous agreement with Cavalry FC, signing a multi-year deal that extends into the FIFA World Cup in 2026. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the club, reinforcing our commitment to community well-being, by nurturing youth and family wellness,” says Michael Brown, president and CEO of Trico Homes. Trico led the way for local and small to medium-sized businesses to support community recreation and active living through its major sponsorship agreement with the Trico Centre for Family Wellness: one that has grown into a 20-year relationship.

We are committed to serve the communities our members live, work and shop in.