It's an exciting day for staff of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre (SLSFSC)

Robin Mitchell of the sports centre received keys to phase one of the project. Mitchell says that after two years it's awesome to see the excitement that's building throughout the Cochrane community.

"As soon as we took the orange tarps down last week and left the gates up so people could see down the two long corridors, we have had nothing but traffic and people walking by. The excitement on faces, kids and adults alike, has been second to none."

Though keys have been handed over you won't be able to access phase one until the first week of May as tenants are now meeting with contractors to design their spaces.

"So our anticipation right now is to be able to take the gates down come May 1 or 2 or that week, just prior to the Trade Show, so we can host the Trade Show in the curling space and Totem One dry pad and have guest services up and operating, as well as the fitness centre."

There'll be many changes happening over the next while as programming shifts around, martial arts, for example, will relocate and in its place a new climbing centre will be constructed. Mitchell says the programming team is chomping at the bit to unveil new ideas and programs in the newly expanded space.

"They will have a whole new set of programs they would like to start launching and we will just wait and see when the space is ready for them to roll those out."

Phase two (aquatics) is still anticipated to open June 23 and membership rates have been firmed up and will be in line with other large multi-sport complexes; offering packages for just aquatics, fitness, and all inclusive.

Mitchell says there will be no disappointment once people are able to access the entire centre.

"It will be second to none, it rivals most places in the Calgary and Edmonton area."

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