Discover Cochrane’s year-round playground: Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Centre

Visiting Cochrane for the weekend, cheering on a tournament, or just looking for a fun family activity? Add a visit to Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Centre (known by locals as SLS Centre) to your list. It’s one of Alberta’s largest rec centres and is the  town’s go-to destination for fitness, fun, and community connection. 

With its wide range of amenities — from an aquatic centre and NHL-sized ice rinks to a climbing wall and pickleball courts — there’s something for everyone to enjoy at SLS Centre, no matter the season.

Dive into summer fun

When the weather heats up, the action moves outside to SLS Centre’s popular spray park. It’s a favourite stop for families visiting Cochrane. Open daily through summer (and on September weekends, weather permitting), the spray park offers the perfect place for kids to cool off while parents kick back and relax.

Indoors, the aquatic centre keeps the fun going year-round. Enjoy a leisure pool, lazy river, water slides, hot tub, and more. Drop-in swim times make it easy to take a dip without having to plan in advance. And if you’re travelling on a budget, check out SLS Centre’s Free Swim Night hosted once a month.

Beyond the aquatic centre, you’ll also find an indoor track, gymnasium, sport courts, fitness centre, and climbing wall — perfect for those occasional rainy afternoons. There’s even a lounge where you can grab a cold beer.

Accessibility is a key focus at SLS Centre. The facility includes elevators, pool lifts in the aquatic area, accessible change rooms, and the new Jumpstart Court, an accessible court open through summer for basketball and volleyball.

And of course, summer in Cochrane is farmers’ market season. Every Saturday, the Cochrane Farmers’ Market sets up in the SLS Centre parking lot next to the Bow River, filling the space with local vendors and fresh produce. Or, head to the Summer Kickoff event, a celebration that marks the start of school holidays with bouncy castles, a drive-in movie, and tons of family fun.

Stay active when the snow falls

In wintertime, SLS Centre turns into the perfect spot to stay warm, get moving, and make memories. With three NHL-sized ice surfaces, you can find drop-in skating opportunities all season long — including family-friendly public skating, figure skating, shinny, and sticks and pucks or sticks and rings sessions.

If you’re looking to try something new, the curling centre offers the chance to experience one of Canada’s favourite winter sports. Book a private curling lesson with Morgan Gustafson, a national-level curler who tailors sessions to beginners and seasoned players alike. It’s a uniquely Canadian experience and a fun way to spend an afternoon indoors.

Other go-to winter activities at SLS Centre include running on the three-lane indoor track (you can grab a track pass for $5) and working out at the fitness centre, where you’ll find cardio and strength training equipment.

Cheer on local athletes

If you love the thrill of watching live sports, SLS Centre is the place to be. From fast-paced hockey to high-energy ringette, you can catch some of Cochrane’s most exciting local teams in action.

The Rocky Mountain Rage, Cochrane’s national league ringette team, brings skill, teamwork, and intensity to the ice. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the sport, watching a Rage game is a blast. The speed and strategy on display make it easy to get caught up in the crowd’s energy. The team’s home games at SLS Centre’s satellite rink (located at the Cochrane Arena on 4th Ave.) offer a fun, family-friendly atmosphere where you can experience the community spirit this small town is known for.

Hockey fans can also take in a Cannex Cochrane Generals game. A Junior B hockey team, the Generals bring competitive play and hometown pride to every match. Catching one of their games with family or friends is another great way to enjoy the buzz of live sport and local culture in Cochrane.

Plan your visit to SLS Centre

Whether you’re in Cochrane for the day, a weekend getaway, or to cheer from the stands during a sporting event, SLS Centre offers an incredible mix of recreation and relaxation opportunities. 

You can drop in for the day, grab a $33 family pass (for two adults and unlimited dependents up to age 22), or pick up a 10-visit punch pass if you’re sticking around a bit longer.

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