COCHRANE, ALBERTA

'Cochrane' is a large town in the Canadian province of Alberta. The town is located 22 km west of the city of Calgary, along Highway 1A. With a population of 12,688 (2005), Cochrane is one of Alberta's largest towns^[2] and one of the fastest growing communites in Canada. It is part of Calgary's Census Metropolitan Area (1,107,200 in 2006) and a member community of the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP).

Contents

History

Geography

Culture

Demographics

Government

Education

References

External links

History

Cochrane was established in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche by Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane.^[3] It became a village in 1903 and a town in 1971. Today Cochrane is booming and is experiencing rapid growth due to its proximity to Calgary.

Geography

Cochrane is situated at and is at the base of Big Hill in the Bow River Valley. It sits at an elevation of 1,186 metres (3,890 ft). The town is intersected by Highway 1A and Highway 22. Cochrane has a reputation for its western and ranching culture which can easily be felt when one wanders the streets (particularly Main Street). The town is a popular destination for shopping in its quaint western-oriented stores as well as for windsports, golfing, hiking, and other adventure activities.
Cochrane is also a small industrial centre. Major industries include lumber, construction, retail, and agriculture (ranching). It is notable as being one of a very few communities in Canada with no business tax.
Cochrane is known for outdoor pursuits. It is a centre for paragliding instruction, with the renowned Muller family operating a school at the top of the Big Hill.
The hill is also a popular training ground for cyclists from the area, who take advantage of its [7%] grade and [3.5km] distance.

Culture

Cochrane houses attractions such as Cochrane Ranche Historic Site and Bert Sheppard Stockmen's Foundation Library And Archives, located in the Cochrane Ranchehouse.
Cochrane is home to many annual events each year:

★ Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair - Early May

★ Dominion Day Tea - Canada Day (July 1st)

★ Labour Day Rodeo & Parade - Labour Day weekend

★ Terry Fox Run - September

★ Christmas Lightup - Late November

Demographics

In 2006, Cochrane had a population of 13,760 living in 4,969 dwellings, a 14.3% increase from 2001. The town has a land area of and a population density of .

Government

;Municipal politics
Cochrane has a Town Council consisting of 6 elected Councillors, and an elected Mayor. Councillors are elected by the eligible electors by voting for up to six candidates and the six receiving the largest number votes being elected. The position of Deputy Mayor is rotated through the councillors over their term. Elections are held on the 3rd Monday in October every third year.
The current Town Council (Elected in October 2004) consists of Mayor Ken Bech and Councillors Mary Lou Davis, Jeff Genung, Ken Hynes, Andy Marshall, Truper McBride and Larry Wackershauser.
Currently all Town Councillors represent the entire Town; however discussion of moving to a ward system where each Councillor would be elected by, and represent one specific area of the Town has arisen after past elections due to the increase land area due to annexation and population increases the Town has experienced in past years.
;Provincial politics
Cochrane is located within the provincial Electoral Division of Banff-Cochrane. It has been represented in the Alberta Legislature by Progressive Conservative MLA Janis Tarchuk since the 1997 Provincial Election.
;Federal politics
Cochrane is located along the southern most boundary of the Federal Electoral district (also known as a riding) of Wildrose. This riding has been represented by Myron Thompson, who was originally elected as a member of the Reform Party in 1993 then again as a member of the Canadian Alliance and currently of the Conservative Party.

Education

Cochrane is home to schools from both the Public Rockyview School Division as well as the Separate Calgary Catholic School District.
As of 2005, there are currently 8 Public and Separate schools in operation within the Town boundaries.

★ Rocky View School Division

★
★ Bow Valley High School - Grades 9-12

★
★ Cochrane High School - Grades 9-12

★
★ Elizabeth Barret Elementary School - Kindergarten, Grades 1-4

★
★ Glenbow Elementary School - Kindergarten, Grades 1-4

★
★ Mitford Middle School - Grades 5-8

★
★ Manachaban Middle School - Grades 5-8

★ Calgary Catholic School District

★
★ Holy Spirit - Grades 1-6

★
★ St Timothy - Grades 7-12

★
★ Nôtre Dame Des Vallées - Kindergarten, Grades 1-4 (French-Catholic school)
In May 2006 the Golden Hills School Division accepted a proposal by the Cochrane Christian Academy Initiative Committee to setup a Christian based alternative education program in Cochrane. The start date has yet to been chosen, nor a facility obtained for running the program out of.
There are currently two trustee's (one from each board) elected to represent Cochrane Schools at their respective boards. As of January 2006 these trustees are:

★ Trudy Hauser - Rocky View School Division - Ward 6

★ Serafino Scarpino - Calgary Catholic School District - Wards 1,2 & Cochrane

References

1.
2.
3. Town of Cochrane - History

External links

★ Official Town of Cochrane

★ The Cochrane Times — Cochrane weekly newspaper

★ Cochrane Eagle — Cochrane weekly newspaper