Cochrane's highly anticipated multi-sport centre is one month closer to opening it's doors.

Although keys were handed over for phase one in March, construction is still ongoing as tenants outfit their spaces and Spray Lakes Family Sports Centre shift around some of their own programming. Doors to phase one will be open briefly for Trade Show weekend, shares Suzanne Gaida, Town of Cochrane, Senior Manager of Community Services, and then closed again until early June.

"So they can continue getting all those spaces ready so that when it's open, it's open and fully accessible and no construction people walking around."

The aquatics centre is still on track for the end of June, with all four basins of the pools being poured. "The tiling is almost complete in the lap pool, the base of the leisure pool, the hot tub has been tested has not had tiling start yet, and the therapy pool is in the process of getting filled with water so they can test the cement to make sure it doesn't leak."

With the entire cement work finished and testing almost complete, all that remains is tiling, spray features, and wrapping up waterslide finishing.

As far as spray features, the new centre will also include an enclosed outdoor spray park with accessibility made only through the aquatics centre. 

Fundraising is ongoing and ramping up as the centre is still 6 million dollars short of its fundraising goal. Gaida says besides continuing to pursue business contacts for sponsorship, other exciting fundraising opportunities will begin shortly.

"We are starting to connect with local businesses, small businesses who aren't in the position to say give $100,000 but certainly have products that are Cochrane made; in that they can make something that is a Rock the Waves item with a portion of the sales, leading up to ribbon cutting, can be donated to the project."

Phase one is anticipated to open beginning of June, with a soft opening and ribbon cutting for aquatics occurring end of June, and swimming commencing right after.

As summer holidays come to an end a big splash is being planned for September to celebrate the grand opening.

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us atnews@discoverairdrie.com