A donation from Canlin Energy Corporation will help kick off badly needed improvements behind Cochrane High School, at the site of a major proposed upgrade to local athletic facilities.
The energy company presented a $7,000 cheque at a ceremony behind the school last Thursday.
Janelle Dubord, Operations Support Technician at Canlin, said the idea for the donation was hatched when a Canlin employee who works at their gas plant just west of Cochrane passed on the information about the proposal.
The employee has a daughter who is a student-athlete at Cochrane High.
“We like to support the community. The $7,000 is going towards the bleachers at the new field,” Dubord said.
The Cochrane Track and Field Association spearheaded funding for the larger project at the site. The donation from Canlin is targeted in a separate package from the larger project.
In addition to new seating, the overall project upgrades include the installation of artificial turf and new lighting.
Dubord said all the upgrades are important.
“The current field is dangerous to play on with uneven grass and clay,” she said. “When the field is wet, it is very slippery and cleats can cause damage. Because of this, the athletes have to wait until the field is dry.
“The old field is being replaced with an artificial turf field that will be safer for the athletes,” she added.
The site of the project is located between Cochrane High School, Elizabeth Barrett Elementary, and Manachaban Middle School. Between the three schools, there are roughly 1,800 students enrolled.
Organizers from the Cochrane Track and Field Association hope the new and improved area will encourage a little more interaction between the three schools.
The site could also be used for other programs and events like holding school celebrations, outdoor graduations, and performing arts.
The overall project has reached its funding goal, and shovels should be in the ground by June.
