Started in 1964, the total population of the village of Cochrane was 950 people. The Cochrane Lions Club charter membership included 35 members. The original meeting place was Cochrane Legion, a different location than to-day.
Cochrane Lions Club First President was Lion Dave Longbotham and Secretary-Treasurer was Lion Jack McLeod and 32 members. Our sponsoring club was the Calgary North Hill Lions Club.
Each year following the club hosted a Charter night held in April, at the Cochrane Community Hall, with a banquet and dance. Lion members and wives, guests, District Governor and Cabinet Officers attended.
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 and 1988 the Cochrane Lioness Club and Cochrane Lions Club continued to have Charter nights until 1992 and again in 1999 when Cochrane Lions club celebrated 35 years and Cochrane Lioness Club 20 years joined together with a charter night at Cochrane Heritage Centre.
Some of the activities of the club in earlier years were Lions Club erecting a Christmas tree on Main Street, all decorated with lights. Lions members gave out candy bags to anyone that came along, mainly children. Lions had an evening where they made up the bags. Lion Don Smith always provided the tree from his farm. And candy bags that were leftover were given to the Salvation Army.
In 2004, the Cochrane Lions Club nominated its first candidate for the office of District Governor. Lion Tim Haight served as District Governor for District 37-O during the 2006-2007 Lionistic Year. The club hosted the 2006 District 37-O Annual Convention at the Banff Park Lodge. It was a tremendous success and thoroughly enjoyed by all members of the district who attended.
The first Rodeo was held at the Lions Rodeo Park in September 1968. Lion Bert Powlesland was President. Lion Ed Daeons roasted beef on a large BBQ with briquettes and served Beef-On-A-Bun to a large crowd in attendance. The 15-acre site of the 1st Rodeo, along 5th Avenue West in Cochrane, is still the location of the Cochrane Lions Rodeo today.
Rangeland Follies (named by a former Lion Ken Raby) has been held every year. There have been three special Rodeos: July 2, 1973 Rodeo of Champions, sponsored by Calgary Brewing and Malting Co. Ltd., and Aug 1986 Old Timers Rodeo and Parade and Silver Anniversary Rodeo and Parade Sept 1992.
Chuckwagon Races were held at Griffin Park along with horse racing with Pari-mutuel betting, Pony Chuckwagon races, and Pony Chariot Races, Junior Barrel Races, Open Barrel Races, Calf Roping, Stake Races, Cochrane Beef Half-Mile Race.
Pig Races, Catch the Rooster, and the Greased Pig Race, Media Pig Races were they had to lead the pig down the track, also for the kids, Mutton Bustin.
In 2010, the Cochrane Lions Club established the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Royalty program. This program encourages young ladies in the Cochrane area to compete for the titles of Cochrane Lions Rodeo Queen and Cochrane Lions Rodeo Princess. The Cochrane Lions Rodeo Royalty, in their capacity as our ambassadors to the Cochrane Community and surrounding area, attend over 70 communities and rodeo-related events each year, culminating with our annual Cochrane Lions Rodeo.
Fundraising is nothing new for the Cochrane Lions Club who built a $5,000 playground in the east and of town near the former swimming pool and $3,500 Banquet Room in the Cochrane Community Hall and also donated funds to be used for a new Community Centre. Lions Auction sales at Cochrane Community Hall were held for a number of years.
1977 the first Car Dinner Tickets $125, was held at the Cochrane Community Hall and were held for several years and some of the winners were Lion Tim Nowkin, R.E. Moore, Lion Harold Spiler, and Lion Macey Sheriff, Cremona Lions Club. Many prizes were donated and a motorcycle was won by Lion Jimmy McArther of Cremona Lions Club.
The Cochrane Lions Club changed their format to a cash winner with $5,000 prize, first won by Lion George McBain, Cochrane Beef and he donated it to the Cochrane Swimming Pool Fund, this continued until 1999, the last winner of $5,000 was Bob Baptie, of Cochrane.
Many functions have been held over the years and 1979 helped with the opening of Ranche Park. Lion Christmas parties and later joining in with Weedon Hall Christmas Party, Ladies night parties, walkathon at Richards Ranch.
April 1983-1987 Police Rodeo at Richards Ranch, Lions helped with Rodeo and prepared and served dinner, accompanied by Cochrane Lioness. The club helped with the Banquets at Dog Pound Stampede Grounds hosted by Cremona Lions Club and all Clubs of District 37E join in all the fun. The event was always well attended.
Youth Camp, near Cremona, opened on June 9, 1985. MLA Connie Osterman and District Governor Ross Yalland, Heritage Lions Club headed up the ceremony, Cochrane Lions Club is still instrumental in the camps’ upkeep and financial well-being.
Cochrane Lioness and Cochrane Lions Club raised $250,000 towards the cost of the pool, which opened April 7, 1990. Cochrane Lions was the main sponsor in this project and 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 campground. It was built on the edge of the Bow River and was named Rivers Edge Campground and was managed by Cochrane Lions Club and Lion Wayne Hilland acted as manager for years.
We now have a beautiful new campground, Bow Rivers Edge Campground, next to the Spray Lakes Sports Centre and operated by the Cochrane Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Cochrane.
Cochrane Now Written by Noel Edey Saturday, May 27 2023, 8:48 AM The Cochrane Lions Club has made a significant $45,000 donation towards the development of a new playground at the Glenbow School. Amanda Heninger, chair of the Friends of Glenbow Education Society, says they are thrilled with the donation from the club to help replace its 25-year-old playground…
Cochrane Now Written by Lauren Meister Sunday, Jan 22 2023, 1:04 PM More than 500 people packed the Cochrane Lions Club Event Centre on Saturday night to hear Canadian country music superstar and Cochrane’s own, George Fox rock the house. The concert, hosted by the Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation was free to attend because of a grant from…
