The Summit is one of Cochrane's newest neighbourhoods, a small community of about 416 homes planned on the hill just south of River Song. Calbridge Developments is the developer, with Calbridge Homes and Cardel Homes as the builders. Site work is under way, and the first move-ins are expected in 2027. If you're thinking about buying new in south Cochrane, here's what we know so far.
The Town of Cochrane's plan for the area calls it the Summit of River Heights, and the "Summit" name refers to its higher elevation compared with the neighbourhoods around it. It covers about 40 acres (16 hectares) in the River Heights area of south Cochrane.
River Song and the Bow Valley High School site sit to the north. (River Song also includes Riviera, the neighbourhood along the Bow River.) Southbow Landing wraps around the west, south and east sides, and the future James Walker Trail runs along the south edge. A planned middle school site sits on the west side, partly within the plan area. The Town's plan notes that the area is outside the Bow River flood fringe.
Because the land sits higher than River Song, the plan says homes backing onto River Song will be single-family and likely walkouts.
The Town's plan lays out single-family homes, semi-detached homes and townhomes, including townhomes with rear lanes along the main collector road and Summit Gate. Calbridge plans three phases: the central area first, then the west and the east.
Two builders are planned for Phase 1:
Select walkout lots are also planned. Calbridge's timeline shows roads and surface work this fall, Phase 1 construction in early spring 2027, a showhome parade in spring 2027 and first move-ins in fall 2027. Timelines can shift, and Calbridge says home releases may begin before the showhomes open.
There is no school inside The Summit yet. The Town's Development Summary describes a joint school site shared by The Willows, Southbow Landing and The Summit.
For the 2026/27 school year, Rocky View Schools' attendance-area map designates these schools for The Summit area:
Bow Valley High School is right next door on River Heights Drive, and Rocky View Schools celebrated the completion of its modernization and expansion on October 2, 2026. Cochrane Christian Academy (kindergarten to Grade 8) is also an option through Rocky View Schools' Christian programs. A new kindergarten to Grade 8 school is being built in Rivercrest, with completion expected in fall 2028 and its attendance area still to be set.
Calgary Catholic School District serves Cochrane families through Holy Spirit School (kindergarten to Grade 8) in Fireside and St. Timothy School (Grades 9 to 12).
School boundaries change from time to time, especially in a new community. Always confirm your child's designated school with the school board when you register.
The Town's plan includes two neighbourhood parks, one in the north-central part of the community and one off Summit Road. A greenway with a pathway runs the length of the north side, separating The Summit from River Song and connecting the school sites. A 3.0-metre regional pathway is planned along James Walker Trail.
Calbridge says there will be pathway connections into River Song and Precedence, with ridge viewpoints over the Bow River valley, plus a pathway to the Bow Valley High School site. Cochrane's wider network has more than 80 km of pathways, trails and sidewalks.
The Town's plan names the future James Walker Trail as the main access, with secondary access via the existing River Heights Link. The Town describes James Walker Trail as a planned arterial road linking Highway 22 to the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge, giving south Cochrane a more direct route to downtown. For Calgary, Calbridge points to Highway 1A. Try your own commute at rush hour before you buy.
The Summit may suit you if you want:
Things to weigh: years of construction ahead, first move-ins not expected until fall 2027, and James Walker Trail and the joint school site still to come. James Walker Trail is a proposed truck route, so the plan expects sound fencing or similar for lots siding onto it.
Every new home is different, even from the same builder. Sean is a former home inspector, so on a showhome visit he'll point out how a home is built and anything worth asking about before you sign. If you're selling in River Song or nearby to buy in The Summit, we can tell you what similar homes have sold for recently and help you plan your move.
Call or text us for a no-pressure conversation, or set up listing alerts above so you hear about new homes in The Summit first.
Wayne & Sean Burton, REMAX West Real Estate, 403-850-1058