There are still a lot of questions surrounding Cougar

Rock’s dealings with the province.

On Friday, the province announced the land leases for Cougar Rock were being revoked due to a lack of action on the site. The line was after seven years of waiting, the province could no longer sit by and watch nothing happen on a prime piece of real estate. The press had the news before the developers, who were still working to appease other demands, namely word surrounding municipalities didn’t want to see it go ahead (which proved false as both Jasper and Hinton offered no objection).

By Tuesday, the province changed their tune, stating not only was the delay the cause of the cancellation, but also the usage. Selling time shares on government-leased land is also in contravention of the agreement, so that became the word from Edmonton.

However Cougar Rock had been promoting the property as a time share for some time. Surely the province, who was in contact with the developer frequently, was aware of this.

Now the matter is likely heading for the courts.

The developers were frustrated they were unable to purchase the land from the province, despite the fact they say their lease allowed for such to occur. It wouldn’t make much sense otherwise for a developer to invest in a property he or she can’t own and in turn realize a return, as this makes the actual development prohibitive to everyone except those with the deepest pocket. But perhaps that’s what happened here as well. Investment dollars have been harder to come by following the recession, and perhaps the province didn’t think Cougar Rock could afford to move ahead.

There must be another reason for the province’s haste on the matter. Of course there was frustration with the lack of movement, however there were some signs work was crawling forward and the developers were paying taxes on the property. Were other investors present? Did a sweeter deal appear in front of them? Or was this simply frustration with a development that was losing steam fast?

There is no doubt from a tourism standpoint, Cougar Rock could have benefited the area. Attracting rich golfers to a picturesque site next to an airport where they can land their private planes would have a positive economic effect upon Jasper and Hinton. We are unsure of the environmental impacts of such a move at this time, but given that the area structure plan calls for 5,000 condos and Cougar Rock reduced density to 600, there was some hope considerations were made for a development next to a national park. One wants to avoid a Canmore situation, where development cuts into wildlife corridors.

But this appears only to be the beginning of a long struggle for the land leases. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another seven years to resolve this.