The Town of Cochrane is revamping its Recreation, Culture and Arts Department and as such, will be exploring changes to programming, such as classes and camps, for 2019. "The town is using this transition as an opportunity to evaluate recreation programs and goals before moving forward," explained Julie Haskill, communications adviser for the town. "While programs currently offered by the town may change in the coming months, no final decisions have been made." Over the coming months, the town will be reaching out to other businesses, community groups and organizations in town to see what is already in place and whether needs are being fulfilled through the private sector or how the town can best lend support to existing programming. "We want to identify gaps ... we're not going to leave anybody high and dry," said Gerry Murphy, senior manager of community services for the town. Sam Stuart of Shredz Skate Shop has been able to volunteer his and the shop's pro-skateboarder coaching time to run town-sponsored skateboard camps for the last several years. According to Stuart, the demand for the camps has been so great that they doubled the number of camps offered this year. As a small retail business owner, Stuart said the partnership with the town has allowed the camps to be held for a reasonable cost to parents – given that he hasn't had to fork out for costly insurance premiums or administrative expenses that have been covered by the town. "As of right now, I've been told that it's cancelled for next year," said Stuart, adding that one little girl who has taken part in the camps for the last three years burst into tears upon learning that there may not be any skateboarding camp next summer. "We have a huge population of under 18 in this town ... how can you cancel camps in general?" added Stuart, who said he and his team will look at affordable options to run camps minus town support, should that be the case for next year. Brandy Whitby is a mom of three whose daughter took part in the Shredz skateboard camp this summer and loved it, leaving Whitby with a strong impression of Shredz. She is a regular user of a variety of town programming for her kids whose ages range from six months to eight years. "If you want to talk about building community it starts from the ground up – it starts with our children," said Whitby, who is very concerned that potentially cutting back on town camps will leave gaps, especially with respect to affordability. Whitby added that what she has enjoyed about the variety of offerings from the town is the half-day options – for moms like her who don't need the camps for childcare. Jill Fleming, a mom of two boys, was left with limited options this summer, when the town scaled back on camps, with no half day camps available for kids under age six. "We want to keep our money in our community, but if it's not going to be offered here we might need to go to other communities .... I might look at C.O.P (Canada Olympic Park in Calgary) as an option next year," said Fleming, adding that she hopes the town will really listen to what the parent community needs are through its engagement this fall. Terri Denney is a mother of two, including one child with disabilities that requires her to have an aid accompany her to any programs or camps. In Denney's experiences, there is little to choose from in town for programs or camps that have been tweaked for children with disabilities. When these have become available, the cost is usually a far cry from affordable. Denney said she hopes the town will look at ways to include families with special needs children without hiking the price tag too high. "Our goal is to collaborate with our community partners to ensure there is a range of programs available to support the healthy development of children and youth and the community as a whole," said Haskill. Kim Krawec, manager of Cochrane Family and Community Support Services, said programing hasn't changed this year, adding there is a need for affordable options in town. "We know there is a need for affordable summer programming in Cochrane. FCSS is a strong advocate for the promotion of affordable, accessible programs. As we move forward with developing future plans we will ensure that there is a range of affordable, accessible programs available which support the healthy development of children and youth and the community as a whole," she stated via email. The Cochrane Eagle reached out through social media for input from moms, receiving considerable responses that ranged from disappointment to anger to concerns of affordability, should the town discontinue summer camps.
