To celebrate a new touchdown for Cobras Athletics, Rocky View Schools (RVS) marked the grand opening of the town’s second artificial turf field with a ceremony at Cochrane High School, followed by a four-team football jamboree on June 17.
Several supporters of Cobras Athletics came out for the field's grand unveiling, as well as dignitaries like Banff-Airdrie Member of Parliament Blake Richards, Town of Cochrane Coun. Susan Flowers, Rocky View County Reeve Crystal Kissel, and Cochrane Track and Field Association president Leslie Ann Kalman.
Superintendent of RVS Greg Luterbach said he was thrilled to support physical activity and player safety, not only for Cochrane High's student-athletes but for the town's broader sporting community.
“Today’s event is a moment of celebration for all athletes, families, donors, and partners who worked hard to make this artificial turf a reality,” Luterbach said. “I’m glad RVS could play a part in this project.”
The $2.5 million amenity was co-funded by the Town of Cochrane, Rocky View County, RVS, private donors, and a federal investment through the Canadian Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF). Construction on the field upgrade started in August 2022 and was completed earlier this school year.
Among other benefits, the new turf field in Cochrane's tri-school area can reduce athlete injuries, as studies have indicated artificial grass is safer to play on than natural grass.
It also does not require watering, pesticides or herbicides, and can be used during or after inclement weather without damage to the playing surface.
The new field also features outdoor lighting fixtures, allowing games and practices to take place longer into the evenings.
Ward 6 (Cochrane) Trustee for RVS, Fiona Gilbert, said the new field will help contribute to the future of athletic excellence at Cochrane High, in multiple different sports.
“I think having a facility for them to practice on, all year long, as much as they can, will be great,” Gilbert said.
As a project that has been long-time coming, Gilbert said it was great to be part of both the June 17 ceremony and bringing the upgraded field to fruition.
“And so, to have it all come together, through team work and collaboration, is a great demonstration of [the fact that] when you get the right people together, and the right commitment and dedication, great things can happen,” she said.
Coach for the Cochrane High Cobras football team, Robbie McNab, said for the 30-plus years he has been involved at the school and its sports teams, their dream to have a facility like this has been a long-awaited reality.
“It takes a lot of time, a lot of people, and a lot of effort. And now here it is,” McNab said.
In terms of the future for Cobras’ athletics programs, McNab said the new field will benefit all sports teams at Cochrane High.
“It’s just one of those facilities that opens up three more months during the school year, because if you get a Chinook, you can go out and play, otherwise you’ll just get mud and ice,” McNab said. “You’re going to see some fantastic athletes come out of this school because of this facility.”
After the brief opening ceremony on Saturday, the Cobras had the chance to break in their new field with scrimmages featuring the Bev Facey Community High Falcons from Sherwood Park, the Foothills Composite High School Falcons from Okotoks, and the Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Rams.
