Spray Lake Sawmills Centre Transition Updates

Spray Lake Sawmills Centre (SLS) is one of Alberta's largest multi-use recreation facilities, spanning approximately 325,000 square feet. Co-owned by the Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County, the facility serves Cochrane and the surrounding communities, offering amenities such as three ice arenas, an aquatic centre, a curling centre, a climbing wall, indoor sport court, a fitness centre, a gymnasium, various fitness studios, an indoor track and numerous spaces for physical and social programs. They also host special events and community events throughout the year.

SLS Centre is co-owned by the Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County. The transition relates to facility operations, not ownership.

The Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County jointly issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2024 to explore new operating models for SLS Centre. As the community continues to grow, this process was initiated to ensure long-term sustainability, service quality and responsiveness to changing recreational needs.
YMCA Calgary was selected as the preferred partner following a competitive process and extensive evaluation.

YMCA Calgary has over 123 years of experience delivering health, wellness and recreation services across the region including in the City of Calgary and in Kananaskis Country.

YMCA Calgary brings:

• Proven experience operating large-scale, multi-use recreation facilities
• A values-based, community-first approach
• A focus on inclusion, accessibility and wellness
• Strong partnerships with municipalities and not-for-profits
• Established systems that support efficient, sustainable service delivery 

• Spring 2025: Agreement finalized and announced
• Through 2025: Transition planning and information sharing
• Early 2026: Full operational transition to YMCA Calgary 

All three partners are committed to supporting current SLS Centre staff throughout this transition, will follow best practices in workforce planning, and will ensure any changes are handled with transparency. Our plan is to retain as many current staff as possible to continue delivering the programs and services offered. Members can expect to see familiar faces on the pool deck or teaching their fitness classes. The change is likely to impact a small number of positions, although the specifics are not yet clear.

No. Current SLS Centre employees will not be required to re-apply for their roles. Our aim is to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption. We deeply value the contributions of current staff and are committed to continuity and stability for both staff and the community we serve.

YMCA Calgary will honour the term of all existing tenant, partnership, and user group agreements in good standing, including agreements with sport partners and events, such as the Cochrane Farmer’s Market. Individual conversations will take place with each partner, user group, and vendor.

There are no plans to change the current service offering at SLS Centre. YMCA Calgary will honour all existing agreements with partners and will have individual conversations with each partner to understand their needs and interests in the facility moving forward.

YMCA Calgary will continue to operate the curling facilities at SLS Centre and will honour the existing agreements with user groups.

If YMCA Calgary becomes the operator for SLS Centre, current services and programming will continue with minimal disruption. YMCA Calgary and its municipal partners are committed to a seamless transition that preserves the services community members rely on while gradually introducing new opportunities and changes that respond to community needs and interests over time. YMCA Calgary will engage in two-way communication to learn the needs of the community and users throughout the transition process and after the YMCA assumes operations in 2026.

Any service changes will be communicated clearly and in advance. 

Existing hours of operation will remain.

This is a key priority for us. YMCAs across the world exist to serve the needs of their local communities. We are committed to extending the same care and attention to the Cochrane and Rocky View County communities and excited to get to know the community, SLS Centre members, and user groups. This started with regular conversations between YMCA Calgary, the Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County and will continue through online and in-person meetings, member surveys and program evaluations, and actively engaging with community members. As we work through the transition process, we are committed to meeting with sports groups, partners, and other long-time users of the space to understand how we can work together to meet the evolving needs of the growing Cochrane community.

There are no plans to change the facility name. YMCA Calgary will honour the current naming agreement and legacy of the naming sponsor and the Spray Lakes Sawmills name.

The “On the Rocks” Lounge is currently operated by the Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society. YMCA Calgary does not intend to operate the lounge as the current operator does and will be engaging in discussions about the future of the lounge and exploring options throughout the transition process. YMCA Calgary’s approach does allow for alcohol consumption in circumstances such as YMCA events or facility rentals when it is consistent with local laws, responsibly managed, and does not conflict with the YMCA’s mission and values.

The Partners intend to enter into an operating agreement for YMCA Calgary to take on management of the Cochrane Arena located at 609 Fourth Ave N, but this will be a separate arrangement confirmed at a later date.

Yes, all SLS Centre memberships that are active as of December 31, 2025 will be honoured throughout the entire 2026 calendar year at the December 31, 2025 price. New memberships purchased in 2026, will pay YMCA Calgary membership pricing.

YMCA Calgary and SLS Centre have different age categories within our membership models for seniors and young adults. YMCA Calgary will continue honouring members who signed up under current SLS Centre age categories.

The $75 joining fee would only apply to new members as of January 1, 2026. All existing SLS members (as of December 31, 2025) whose memberships transfer as of January 1, 2026 would not pay the $75 fee.

YMCA Calgary and SLS Centre have different age categories within our membership models for seniors and young adults. YMCA Calgary will continue honouring members who signed up under current SLS Centre age categories.

YMCA Calgary members at SLS Centre who are unable to afford the full membership or program fee may be eligible for financial assistance made possible in part through donor support: Financial Assistance | YMCA Calgary

YMCA Calgary also offers a Corporate Wellness program that allows companies to offer their employees the benefit of a discounted YMCA membership.

Grade 6 students are eligible for a free 13-month membership at the YMCA, thanks to the generous support of the Calgary Flames Foundation: Calgary Flames Grade 6 YMCA Membership | YMCA Calgary. This will be valid for the entire Grade 6 school year, August 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026 and can be used to visit SLS Centre after operations transition to YMCA Calgary on January 1, 2026. 

YMCA Calgary is proud to offer comprehensive value for membership. Details of membership benefits, which includes access to all YMCA Calgary facilities and guest options across Canada, are detailed on our website: Membership Benefits | YMCA Calgary

Yes. YMCA Calgary will communicate regularly with updates for SLS Centre staff, members, program participants, sport groups, tenants, partners, sponsors, and advertisers throughout the transition. We will seek input through individual conversations with user groups, tenants, and partners, and other means as appropriate throughout the process.

Each partner has a dedicated project page with the latest information: 
• Town of Cochrane: https://www.cochrane.ca/parks-recreation/recreation-facility-management 

• Rocky View County: https://www.rockyview.ca/news-events/news