Cochrane bares all

Town to celebrate Doors Open and share behind-the-scenes of 17 sites

Cochrane has joined Calgary in baring all with its own version of Doors Open Sept. 25 – 27.

"We've been looking for a way to show people behind the scenes at municipal government because we think it's a great way to engage with our community," said Laurie Drukier, senior communications advisor for the Town of Cochrane. First started in Europe, Doors Open has been around for the last quarter century, beginning as a way of promoting civic pride. It includes various behind-the-scenes sites in which the public can get to know their community better.

The first Canadian city to partake was Toronto as part of a millennium project in 2000, other centres such as Richmond, Winnipeg and Calgary have since followed.

The idea for a Doors Open event in Cochrane was fuelled after a meeting with Doors Open organizers in Calgary.

"[Doors Open YYC] was so enthusiastic and just gushing, and it was so wonderful about how much people love it in Calgary," Drukier said. "We just got infected with that enthusiasm, to be honest, and we brought it back to the office. We met with the economic development team here at the Town and they said, 'You know what? This is a really great way for businesses to engage with their customers'".

Cochrane will be featuring 17 sites, including the Spray Lake Sawmills, eco centre, water treatment plant, fire services and the Studio West Gallery & Foundry.

Spray Lake Sawmills has been manufacturing lumber products in the area since 1943. Its tour runs only on Sept. 25 in groups of 10 and requires pre-registration (some sites don't).

The eco centre meanwhile, helps Cochrane and area residents to divert 1,500 tonnes of material from the landfill.

Drukier added there are almost 22 sites to actually see as the Town of Cochrane visit includes five separate departments.

"We think it's a really good variety and a really good opportunity for people to see stuff they don't normally get to see," Drukier said.

The Doors Open event has been arranged in tandem with Alberta Culture Days, running Sept. 26-28, which allows residents and visitors to mix up their Doors Open visits with art displays, the Cochrane Outhouse Races and more.

For more information on Doors Open Cochrane, visit www.cochrane.ca/649/Doors-Open-Cochrane.

Tagged: Cochrane | Doors Open | Uncategorized