To welcome the new year under a new moniker, Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre has announced plans to rename Cochrane’s marquee sports and recreation facility, rebranding the multi-sport recreation complex as Spray Lake Sawmills Centre or SLS Centre moving forward.
The news came at a press event on Jan. 13, featuring the facility’s staff, media, local dignitaries, and representatives from Spray Lake Sawmills.
In the past, SLS Centre has hosted talented athletes like Calgary Flames hockey player Dillon Dube at the centre, alongside the Cochrane Farmers Market, graduation ceremonies, a circus, and several outdoor-events during the pandemic.
With Cochrane’s continued growth, the SLS Centre visitor count exceeds 1,000,000 people annually, according to a media release sent out prior to the event.
As part of the rebranding, SLS Centre also introduced a new slogan - “The Heart of the Community.”
An event hosted in the SLS Centre featured a presentation by sales and marketing manager Michelle Everett, and was emceed by former CBC Radio and television host Doug Dirks.
“I’m just proud to be here and represent the centre,” Everett said. “And [to] bring it to a new level for the town, the community, and we will see where this goes in the future.”
The 325,000-square-foot multi-sport complex has been a staple in Cochrane for 21 years. Spray Lake Sawmills was one of the driving forces in the recent rebrand. Vice president of Finance and chief financial officer Pat Findlater spoke on behalf of the company on Friday.
“On behalf of Barry Mjolness, who is the owner, our executive team, and all the employees at Spray Lake Sawmills, we certainly want to congratulate the SLS team here,” Findlater said. “And all the individuals involved to bring this project to fruition.”
Deputy Mayor Morgan Nagel spoke on behalf of Cochrane Town council, thanking Spray Lake Sawmills for the company’s support of the centre in the last two-plus decades and the work by the SLS Centre team through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You did an exceptional job and the Town owes you a great gratitude,” Nagel said.
Division 2 Coun. Kevin Hanson spoke on behalf of Rocky View County council, outlining that Rocky View County recognizes the importance of recreation within the rural municipality. Rocky View County and the Town of Cochrane have a cost-sharing agreement when it comes to supplying funding for the Cochrane-based venue.
“On behalf of our council and Rocky View’s administration, the County applauds both the society and Spray Lake Sawmills for their full and front relationship,” Hanson said “Congratulations to both of you.”
Ozzie Sawicki, president of the Cochrane Chamber of Commerce and program director for the Canadian Adaptive Snowsports Alberta, an organization that represents disabled skiing and snowboarding in the province, spoke on the role the SLS Centre played in the creation of the Cochrane-based Canadian para-Snowsport Training Centre. He said what started as an idea six months ago has greatly evolved.
“This program would not exist if this facility did not exist,” Sawicki said. “This is our base for our dryland training.
“I congratulate you on the new name, the new brand, and we will proudly wear this new logo and this brand in the coming year."
To conclude the event, CEO of SLS Centre Erin Wagner thanked attendees, the SLS Centre team, and everyone who was involved with the rebranding process.
“On behalf of the entire team here at SLS Centre, we are committed to serving our community [by] providing wellness opportunities that excite and inspire our community to be active, and connected through play,” Wagner said.
