Cochrane, Alberta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cochrane
Town
Town of Cochrane
Overview of Cochrane
Motto(s):  How the West is Now
Boundaries of Cochrane
Cochrane Location in Rocky View County Show map of Rocky View County Cochrane Location in Alberta Show map of Alberta Cochrane Location in Canada Show map of Canada
Country	Canada
Province	Alberta
Metropolitan area	Calgary
Planning region	South Saskatchewan
Municipal district	Rocky View County
Incorporated
• Village	June 17, 1903
• Town	February 15, 1971
Area  (2021)
• Land	31.58 km2 (12.19 sq mi)
Elevation	1,159 m (3,802 ft)
Population  (2021)
• Total	32,199
• Density	1,019.5/km2 (2,640/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Cochranite
Time zone	UTC−07:00 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−06:00 (MDT)
Forward sortation area	T4C
Area code(s)	403, 587, 825, 368
Highways	Hwy 1A Hwy 22 Cowboy Trail
Railways	Canadian Pacific Kansas City

Cochrane (pronounced KOK-rən) is a lively town in Alberta, Canada. It's part of the Calgary Metropolitan Region, located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) west of Calgary. Cochrane is one of Canada's fastest-growing communities. In 2021, its population was 32,199, making it one of the largest towns in Alberta. The town is surrounded by Rocky View County.

History of Cochrane

Cochrane began in 1881 as the Cochrane Ranche. It was named after Matthew Henry Cochrane, a rancher in the area. The community grew over time.

• In 1903, Cochrane became a village.
• By 1909, it had its own newspaper and a volunteer fire department.
• In 1971, Cochrane officially became a town.

Exploring Cochrane's Geography

Cochrane is nestled at the base of a large hill called Big Hill. It sits in the Bow River Valley, about 1,186 meters (3,891 feet) above sea level. Two main highways, Highway 1A and Highway 22, pass through the town.

Cochrane is known for its strong western culture. You can see this when you walk through the streets, especially First Street. It's a popular spot for:

• Enjoying ice cream and coffee in unique western-themed shops.
• Trying windsports like kiteboarding.
• Playing golf.
• Going hiking and other outdoor adventures.

Cochrane is also a small center for industries like lumber, construction, and retail. Agriculture, especially ranching, is also important. It's one of the few places in Canada that doesn't have a business tax.

The Big Hill is a favorite training spot for cyclists. It has a steep 7% slope and is 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) long. The area around Cochrane has a mix of grassland and aspen trees. You can also find mixed forests with white spruce trees, especially on north-facing slopes and in parts of the Bow River valley.

Cochrane Neighbourhoods

Cochrane has many different neighborhoods where people live. Some of these include:

Population and Demographics

Cochrane is growing quickly! In the 2021 Census, the town had 32,199 people living there. This was a big jump from its population of 25,853 in 2016.

The town covers a land area of about 31.58 square kilometers (12.19 square miles). This means there are about 1,019 people living in each square kilometer.

Cochrane is now large enough to become a city. According to Alberta's Municipal Government Act, a town can become a city once it reaches 10,000 residents.

Arts and Culture in Cochrane

Cochrane has a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. The Cochrane Ranche Historic Site is a special place that was even featured in a 1954 documentary film called Corral. You can also visit the Bert Sheppard Stockmen's Foundation Library And Archives, located in the Cochrane Ranchehouse.

The town hosts many fun events throughout the year:

• Pumpkin Lantern Festival: Held in October, it's a spooky and fun event.
• Chamber of Commerce Trade Fair: Happens in early May, showcasing local businesses.
• Canada Day Community Celebration: On July 1st, the town celebrates Canada's birthday with a big party.
• Labour Day Rodeo & Parade: This exciting event takes place on Labour Day weekend. In 2019, over 80 different groups participated in the parade!
• Terry Fox Run: A charity run held in September to raise money for cancer research.
• Christmas Light-up: In late November, the town lights up for the holiday season.

Sports in Cochrane

Cochrane is home to the Cochrane Generals, a Junior B Hockey Club. They have been playing hockey for the town since 1984. The Generals have won two championships in the Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL), in 1985-1986 and 2007-2008. They have also won 6 division titles and 4 league titles, and two silver medals at the Alberta Junior B Provincials.

Getting Around: Transit

Cochrane has a modern way for people to get around called COLT (Cochrane On-Demand Local Transit). Launched in 2019, COLT is an app-based service, much like an "Uber bus system." Users can request a ride from over 150 stops in town. This system is more affordable than traditional bus routes. COLT also connects with On-It regional transit, which allows people to travel between Cochrane and Calgary.

Education in Cochrane

Cochrane has many schools for students of all ages. These schools are part of different school boards:

• The public Rocky View School Division No. 41.
• The separate Calgary Catholic School District.
• The Greater Southern Alberta Catholic Francophone Region #4 (CSCFSA), which offers French-Catholic education.

As of 2022, there were twelve public and separate schools in Cochrane:

• Rocky View School Division No. 41
  • Cochrane High School: For Grades 9–12.
  • Bow Valley High School: For Grades 9–12.
  • Rancheview School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1-8.
  • Elizabeth Barret Elementary School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1–4.
  • Glenbow Elementary School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1–4.
  • Mitford School: For Grades 5-8.
  • Manachaban Middle School: For Grades 5-8.
  • Cochrane Christian Academy: For Kindergarten and Grades 1-8.
  • Fireside School: For Kindergarten and Grades 1-8.

• Calgary Catholic School District
  • Holy Spirit: For Kindergarten and Grades 1–6.
  • St. Timothy: For Grades 7–12.

• Greater Southern Alberta Catholic Francophone Region #4
  • Nôtre Dame Des Vallées: A French-Catholic school for Kindergarten and Grades 1–12.

Cochrane is also home to the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, which is a training school for religious leaders.

Notable People from Cochrane

Many talented people have come from Cochrane, including:

• Rohan Campbell, an actor.
• Rob Cote, a professional football player.
• Justin Dowling, a professional ice hockey player.
• George Fox, a musician.
• Ethan Gage, a professional soccer player.
• Mason Raymond, a professional ice hockey player.
• Dillon Dubé, a professional ice hockey player.
• Paul Brandt, a musician.
• John Hufnagel, President and General Manager of the Calgary Stampeders football team.

Images for kids

• 

  Overview of Cochrane

• 

  Boundaries of Cochrane

• 

  Cochrane Town Logo

See also

In Spanish: Cochrane (Alberta) para niños