Members of the Cochrane Historical Preservation Society (CHAPS) appealed to town council June 26 for consideration of an operating grant as the town moves from annual to three-year budgets this fall. Through CHAPS' presentation on the bare bones non-profit organization that was started in 1999 - which owns/operates the Cochrane Historical Museum at the Cochrane Historic Ranche - it was made clear to mayor and council that CHAPS has exhausted its creativity and resources, largely fuelled by the good will of aging volunteers, a core group of 12. "I believe that the study of history connects things through time and it gives people an emotional link to the past," said presenter and CHAPS president Larry Want. Mayor Jeff Genung commended CHAPS for its "invaluable work," noting that Cochrane's growth pressures are evident with the number of non-profits coming forward and appealing to the town for funds, space and support. Want advised council that the request for an annual operating grant of between $45,000 and $50,000 would allow the non-profit to continue to add to the museum collection, including specialized lighting, cases and storage units; invest in photo restoration software and better equipment; and to continue to add to the town's catalogue of history. "Does Cochrane want a museum?" posed Want, pulling up museum costs in other Alberta municipalities for comparison. According to Want's presentation, High River contributes $147,000 annually as an operating grant, a cost to the taxpayer of $8.75 per year. Sundre coughs up $10,000 annually with an additional $6,000 from the County, amounting to a per capita cost of $3.53. Crowsnest costs $3.45 per person, with a little more than $18,000 coming from the municipal yearly in operating funds. An operating grant from the town would result in an estimated cost of $2 per year to the Cochrane taxpayer. The biggest account top-up CHAPS has are casino funds every three years, which raises more than $40,000; the organization is not due for another casino until 2021. The bulk of its funds come from fundraising and its biannual dinner events, the sale of the "Cochrane bible" More Big Hill Country and private donations. Without an operating grant, CHAPS is facing an estimated shortfall of $43,886 by next year. The organization currently receives no town funding. "We need professional staff," said secretary Bernice Klotz, adding that the only paid staff CHAPS has is a summer student, Jade Lewis. This is the third season that CHAPS has had a summer student, paid in part through the STEP program. In his presentation, highlighting the character of the museum, as Cochrane's first hospital, built by the Davies family in 1909. The building was purchased by CHAPS in 2012 and relocated off its former location along Highway 1A in 2014, saving the piece of heritage from future demolition when the province eventually twins the highway. Last year there were 2,100 people who went through the museum, which is open seasonally in conjunction with the Farmers' Markets - Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.; on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Ultimately, CHAPS would like to expand its hours - which could only be done through expanded resources and an operating grant. Council voted unanimously in favour of adding the request to fall budget talks.
