The town is encouraging the public to take part in the grand reopening ceremony for the ClubHouse Activity Centre Nov. 5.
The family event will include a tour of the renovated facility, activities and treats at the firepit.
Located at the top of the hill of the Cochrane Ranche, the activity centre just underwent $395,000 in renovations – $370,000 from the town budget, plus a five per cent cost over run – included in the 2016 town budget.
The new space will offer year-round programming, day camps and community events.
According to a press release issued by the town, the new building includes a new layout maximizing floor space; upgraded lighting; flooring; kitchen appliances; furnace and water tank; a barrier-free ramp and passenger elevating device for accessibility; inclusion of potable water supply; updated insulation and new windows; a new roof; maintenance-free exterior cladding and deck; as well as a new driveway, community firepit and landscaping.
The building also features original Cochrane brick, manufactured at a brickworks site once located at the Ranche.
The historical building once belonged to the Gilbert family – the last family to ranch that property in 1949. The land was purchased by the province in 1979 to establish the Cochrane Ranche Provincial Historic Site, now managed by the town.
