A semester has already passed for students and faculty at the new Cochrane Christian Academy on Powell Street, and their experience in the new space has been nothing short of a positive one.
According to CCA Principal Allan Elkin, both students and staff have adjusted to the space despite leaving their former space at Mitford School.
“While it is bittersweet to no longer share a space with Mitford School, we are also excited about the opportunities presented by having our own space,” Elkin said. “As with any move, staff and students are getting used to the new space and have been working collaboratively to figure out how to make the space their own.”
The space on Powell St., which was acquired in September 2022 from the Calgary Catholic School District, underwent a $2.8 million dollar restoration to open its doors for students for the 2023-2024 school year.
“Having our own building allows more access for CCA students to common areas like the gym and Learning Commons,” Elkin said. “The location of the building in Cochrane has also created an opportunity for walking field trips to Spray Lake (Sawmills Centre) and other downtown sites, which students love.
“Having CCA staff involved in the design and renovation of the building allowed the site to fit the needs of the school – for example, the gym was specifically designed to accommodate the school’s weekly chapels.”
Looking back on their first semester, Elkin said that for students and parents their reception of the new space has been very positive.
“CCA held an open house before the first day of school; lots of families attended and were positive about the facility,” Elkin said.
In the future, Elkin said that CCA plans to explore what career and technology foundation programs it would be able to offer students in the new building, alongside other plans it hopes to implement in the future.
“We are also excited to re-examine what new opportunities exist for our annual service projects – a core part of our school’s culture,” Elkin said. “Every year, each classroom undertakes a service project associated with a local non-profit group.
“Because CCA is in a new area of Cochrane it opens the door for us to work with groups we haven’t worked with before.”
Moving forward, Elkin said the CCA always had a strong culture and community. When they shared the same space with Mitford School, they always had to be mindful to not overshadow their neighbouring school’s culture.
Now in their own space, they can fully embrace and establish their own identity in Cochrane.
“With our new building, there are new opportunities to express and display our school culture,” Elkin said.
