(Cochrane, AB) - The Cochrane Track and Field Association (CTFA) is pleased to announce the ground breaking of a new $2.5 million multi-purpose artificial turf field at the Cochrane Tri-school site yesterday. It will be used by students, the community and visitors for educational, recreational, and cultural purposes and represents a partnership between the residents of the Town of Cochrane, Rocky View County and Rocky View Schools (RVS).
Funding was provided by the Town of Cochrane ($600,000), Rocky View County ($600,000), private donations ($800,000) as well as a federal investment of $500,000 through the Canadian Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF). The CCRF is a two-year $500 million national infrastructure program to support communities across the country with projects that revitalize downtown cores and main streets, reinvent outdoor spaces, create green infrastructure, and address accessibility of community spaces. The CCRF is administered by PrairiesCan in Alberta.
Tax-deductible donations for bleachers and further upgrades to the field are still being accepted via the CTFA webpage: cochranefieldandtrack.ca
The field is located atop Manachaban Hill at the Tri-school site in the Cochrane Heights neighbourhood and will be permanently marked for football, rugby and soccer and have a certified rugby shock pad.
In addition to other benefits, artificial turf can reduce athlete injuries keeping safety a priority for this project. It is also environmentally friendly as there is no need to water the field, use pesticides or herbicides, and it can also be used during and after inclement weather without damaging the field.
After breaking ground yesterday, the upgrades to the field and surrounding area are on track to be completed in the fall of 2022 at which time there will be a grand opening.
“It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be able to announce the start of construction of this new artificial turf field. With the outdoor lighting, both the students, and community teams will be able to play for many more hours on a well-lit field.”
Leslie Ann Kalman, President of the Cochrane Track and Field Association
“Our government continues to make investments that will modernize public infrastructure, providing places for everyone to enjoy through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. This new multi-use turf field at the Cochrane Tri-school site will give community members, visitors and students a place to gather in Cochrane and participate in sports and recreation activities for years to come.”
The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan
“Community sports fields, parks and gathering spaces are at the heart of communities across Alberta. Our investment in the Cochrane Track and Field Association will help create a more environmentally friendly and safer sports field for students and community members to enjoy.”
George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview
"Rocky View County is pleased to be a financial contributor to this collaborative recreational amenity. The artificial turf field is a much-needed amenity in the region and will serve to improve recreational opportunities for all residents in the region for generations to come,"
Don Kochan, Rocky View County Mayor
“This investment in Cochrane sports infrastructure will serve athletes in our community well into the future. It is exciting to see Cochrane and Rocky View County collaborating financially to provide increased recreational opportunities to our growing region. The project is an example of what can be achieved when a group of dedicated volunteers put their heads to together, roll up their sleeves and get to work!”
Jeff Genung, Mayor of Cochrane
For more information contact: cochranefield@shaw.ca or check out www.cochranefieldandtrack.ca