Page 35 More Big Hill Country 2009
When the Fisher Block was built in the early 1900’s the top floor was used by the King Solomon Lodge for their meetings until the building was destroyed by fire. The Fisher Block was also used for social functions. In 1905, the Orangemen built a hall on the corner of First Street and Fourth Avenue West (present site of Addie’s Quilts). The Orangemen built an addition to this hall in 1924 but their organization folded in 1925.
In 1912, the Oddfellows Lodge was upstairs in the Howard Block. Their members converted the top floor into their meeting room and a social hall. When Sid Chester bought the Howard Block and turned the top floor into the Chester Hall, to be used as a dance hall and for social functions, the Oddfellows bought the Orangeman’s building to use for their group. The Oddfellows folded and sold the building to the Rebecca’s in 1966. The hall was rented out to the community for parties, movies, dances and other social events.
Sid Chester built a bowling alley in 1912 for Moise de Repentigny on First Avenue West. This building was later sold and turned into the first curling rink in Cochrane. It took nearly 90 years before a bowling alley would appear again in Cochrane.
In 1930, the Lodge for the B.P.O.E. (Elks, see their own story) Chapter built and opened their Memorial Hall on Second Avenue and Second Street West. This was the largest hall in Cochrane and was used for dances, Christmas Concerts, movies, meetings, banquets, minstrel shows, election polls, council chambers, library, bingos and extra school rooms. Wedding receptions, Remembrance Day Services and the Scout and Guide Groups met there. It became the centre of social activities and was known as the Community Hall. This building was renovated many times and due to its age and condition
was demolished in 2004.
Another milestone in Cochrane happened when the citizens and the Town got together and decided to build an outdoor swimming pool. It was a momentous occasion when the citizens watched their new swimming pool coming down the Cochrane hill in 1967. This pool was moved, in one piece from the Calgary location that built it. This was also the first time such a feat had been done. The pool was set up in the east end of town and in the winter an outdoor rink was located beside it. Many children and adults of the Big Hill Country used these great facilities for many years. In the 1990’s a lovely new indoor pool was built on 5th Avenue West by the Rodeo grounds and was welcomed by everyone.
In the early 1970’s an offer from an anonymous donor was made to the Town of Cochrane to match a named amount of funds to build a recreation arena. A group of citizens joined together to canvass the town and the surrounding farms and ranches to help match the funds. Although many farmers and ranchers did not have any cash to donate, they generously donated hay and truckloads of grain to this much-needed cause. Many donated cash so that the surrounding district residents would be able to use this Town of Cochrane facility. A new Arena was welcomed when it was built on the hill north of the new Cochrane High School. It opened in 1974 and is well used through the years by all. With the growing population in Cochrane these facilities became very crowded so a community group formed and raised the funds for the current Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Centre. This facility strongly supported by Spray Lake Sawmills in Cochrane has become the hub of recreation and wellness for the Town of Cochrane.
