Cochrane's history and how to preserve it has been top of mind for some Cochranites lately – including local philanthropist and retired professional celebrity wrestler Dan Kroffat.
Some community members have expressed concern over re-branding the Cochrane Public Library from its former moniker the Nan Boothby Library – named after Nancy 'Nan' Boothby, who was instrumental in establishing the library in 1950.
The Cochrane and Area Historical Preservation Society (CHAPS), the volunteer group that runs the Cochrane Museum, has made it clear in recent months that in order to properly archive Cochrane's past, it requires town funding to help the bottom line beyond what can be afforded by its shoestring budget and aging volunteer base.
With the town on the brink of short-listing the top three potential names for the new Bow River Bridge and Kroffat's vocal hope that late Cochrane Eagle publisher Jack Tennant will make the cut, Kroffat feels Cochrane is at the tipping point and needs to make some big decisions on how to preserve the past to help shape the future.
"I think it's our responsibility to think about the past with the same dedication we give to the future ... let us not for one minute get caught up in the growth and let our heritage slip."
Kroffat has initiated a number of evenings of recognition – including for Tennant before he died and for famed former Calgary Flames trainer Bearcat Murray – which raised thousands of dollars for the future Big Hill Haven Women's Shelter.
He is also the man behind the launch of the anti-theft poppy boxes, designed by local EBG Manufacturing, which has been linked to increased poppy donations and the record-breaking $50,000 poppy campaign record last fall for the Cochrane Legion.
Referring to the neglect of Cochrane's history and archiving as "historical dementia," Kroffat said he is also concerned about the "Pandora's Box" that could result from re-naming or re-branding historical buildings.
Kroffat is putting a call out to the community to speak up about how they would like to see Cochrane's history and heritage promoted and preserved as the town on the cusp of 30,000 residents continues to grow.
"My hope is that the community will rally behind the CHAPS group," said Kroffat, adding that if the community decides that an expanded museum facility is a cause worth getting behind, he will be more than happy to lend his efforts to such a grassroots push.
"I hope people feel as I do – the case of the library sets a precedent," said Kroffat, who thinks the recent library naming conundrum – which library executive director Jeri Maitland has said was not meant to take away from the history surrounding Nan Boothby, only to re-brand the library after its legal operating name, and that the Nan Boothby name is still on the back of the building – serves as a cautionary tale.
"We are about to name the bridge. Let's say we name it after Jack Tennant – what if someone comes along 30 years from now to rename it? ... How do we encourage people of today to do great things if 30 or 40 years from now their work could be arbitrarily torn down or re-named?"
