pg 161 More Big Hill Country 2009
The Cochrane Lions Club was Chartered in 1964 and was sponsored by North Hill Lions Club. Lion Gerry Sinclair was the President of the Club. In the early years, the meeting place was the Cochrane Legion. The first President of the Cochrane Lions Club was Lion Dave Longbotham and Secretary-Treasurer was Lion Jack McLeod. There were thirty-two members.
Every year the club hosted a Charter Night held in April, at the Cochrane Community Hall. Lion members and wives, guests, District Governor and Cabinet Officers attended a lovely banquet and dance.
In 1981, Bragg Creek Lions Club and Cochrane Lioness Club had their first Joint Charter Night and this continued until 1987. When Bragg Creek Lions Club retired in 1988, the Cochrane Lioness Club and Cochrane Lions Club continued to have Charter Nights until 1992. Then in 1999, when Cochrane Lions Club celebrated thirty-five years and Cochrane Lioness Club celebrated twenty years, they joined together with a Charter Night at the Cochrane Heritage Centre.
The first Rodeo to be held at the Lions Rodeo Grounds in Cochrane was on September 1968. Lion Bert Powlesland was President. Lion Ed Downs roasted beef on a large B.B.Q. with briquettes and served Beef on a Bun to a large crowd in attendance. Rangeland Frolics (named by a former Lion Ken Raby) has been held every year since on the Labour Day weekend. Three Special Rodeos were: the July 2, 1973 Rodeo of Champions, sponsored by Calgary Brewing and Malting Co. Ltd., the August 1986 Old Timer’s Rodeo and Parade and the Silver Anniversary Rodeo and Parade in September 1992.
The Activities of the Club in earlier years were many. The Lions Club erected a Christmas Tree on Main Street decorated with lights and Lion members gave out candy bags to anyone that came along, mainly children. Lions had an evening where they made up the bags and Lion Don Smith always provided the tree from his farm. Any candy bags that were left over were given to the Salvation Army.
Chuckwagon Races were held at Griffin Park and horse racing with Para Mutuals. Pony Chuckwagon races and Pony Chariot Races, Junior Barrel Races, Open Barrel Races, Calf Roping, Stake Races and the Cochrane Half Mile Race were some of the many attractions sponsored and run by the Lions Club. Pig Races, Catch the Rooster, and the Greased Pig Race, Media Pig Races where they had to lead the pig down the track as well as Mutton Bustin’ were popular and fun events.
Money raising is nothing new for the Lions. They built a $5000 playground in the east end of town near the former swimming pool and a $3500 Banquet Room in the Cochrane Community Hall. The Lions also donated funds to be used for a new Community Centre. Lion Auction Sales were held at the Cochrane Community Hall, for a number of years.
In 1977 the first Car Dinner was held at the Cochrane Community Hall. Tickets were $125.00 each. These
Dinners were held for several years and some of the winners were Lion Tim Nowlin, R. E. Moore, Lion Harold Spicer, all deceased, and Lion Doug Sheriff, Cremona Lions Club. Many prizes were donated and a motorcycle was won by Lion Jimmy McArthur of Cremona Lions Club. The Lions Club changed their format to a Cash Dinner with a $5000 prize won by Lion George McBain, Cochrane Club and he donated it to the Cochrane Swimming Pool Fund. This continued until 1999 when it was discontinued and the last winner of $5000 was Bob Baptie, Cochrane.
Many functions have been held over the years. In 1979 the Cochrane Lions assisted with the opening of Cochrane Ranche Historic Site. Lion Christmas Parties held jointly in with Weedon Hall Christmas Parties in later years. There were Ladies Night parties, Walkathons at Richards Ranch from 1983 to 1987 and the Police Rodeo at Richards Ranch where Lions and Cochrane Lionesses prepared and served dinner and assisted with the rodeo. Campouts at Dog Pound Stampede Grounds were hosted by Cremona Lions Club and all Clubs of the District 37E joined in the fun.
Lions participated in the Youth Camp opening at Cremona June 9, 1985 where M.L.A. Connie Osterman, Governor Ross Yolland, and Heritage Lions Club presided. Cochrane Lions Club are still instrumental in the camp’s well being.
Swimming Pool – Cochrane Leisure Pool: Cochrane Lions Club raised $250,000 toward the cost of the Pool, which opened April 7, 1990. Cochrane Lions were the main sponsor in this project and it was built on land originally leased by the Cochrane Lions Club. Fundraising events were held by many organizations and private donations.
Cochrane Lions Club was instrumental in building and operating the Cochrane campground. It was built on the edge of the Bow River and was named Rivers Edge Campground. It was managed by the Cochrane Lions Club and Lion Wayne Hilland acted as manager for years.
We now have a beautiful new campground next to the Spray Lake Sports Centre and operated by Cochrane Lions Club and Rotary Club of Cochrane.
Fundraisers
1. An annual Golf Tournament called th Chris Montague Memorial Golf Tournament held each May. Proceeds go to the Lions Youth Camp and High School Scholarships.
2. Catering over 1200 Breakfasts for the Footstock in June of each year. Footstock is Western Canada’s premier marathon race weekend and is held in Cochrane.
3. The annual Labour Day Rodeo continues, and has been going for over forty years.
4. Volunteering at the Frank Sissons Casino is a major source of income for the Club.
5. Catering and Bar keeping events throughout the year.
6. Tent and BBQ rentals.
Recent Donations of note:
1. $20,000 to the Big Hill Senior Citizens Activities Society to maintain their buses.
2. $30,000 to the new Children’s Hospice in Calgary, funded by the Cochrane Lions Troy Thompson Medical Fund.
