SLS Centre was built by community.
In 2001, a group of dedicated community volunteers, in partnership with the Town of Cochrane & Rocky View County and hundreds of generous donors, achieved the dream of building a new hockey arena and indoor turf in Cochrane. The commitment and contributions of those supporters resulted in SLS Family Sports Centre; a facility that is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people each year.
In 2004, spearheaded by the Society, the field house was added; Philergos Indoor Turf, double gymnasium, Garmin 3-lane track along with the 3rd party UCalgary Gymnastics Centre and Fireside of Cochrane Fitness Centre. The Society also took over managing the original Cochrane Arena, built in 1974, and in 2005, did $500,000 in upgrades to the 'plant'.
In 2009, SLS Family Sports Centre conducted its first major expansion, adding an additional 2 hockey arenas. In 2017, another major expansion took place adding a curling and aquatic centre. These expanded and new spaces will serve its communities for years to come.
On behalf of the ‘Owners’, the Town of Cochrane and Rocky View County, the Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society manages and operates the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre and the Cochrane Arena.
Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society is a not-for-profit organization and registered charity, and we are asking for your continued support. We believe in the power of community, and our organization aims to provide opportunities to enhance the physical and mental well-being of our community. Without the generous actions of people like you, we would not be able to provide these opportunities. Our donors do not merely fund programs; they fund long-term results. With your support we can continue to provide a space that enables members of our community to improve their health, reach their personal goals and above all: have some fun. Click here for more info.
Our Mission
To deliver a self-sustaining environment which champions the physical and social well-being of our community.
Our Vision
We inspire and provide opportunities to enhance the well-being of our community.
Our Core Values
Safety, Integrity, Inclusive, Customer-focused, Accountable, Engaged, Fun.
Erin Wagner, CPA, CA
Chief Executive Officer (Interim)
Erin is a resident of Cochrane and a born and raised Calgarian. Erin obtained her CPA, CA designation with KPMG, and then transitioned to industry, holding senior roles in accounting and corporate finance functions in the oil and gas and power sectors. Outside of work, Erin is a sports fanatic, sharing her love of sports with her husband and children. She enjoys playing soccer, hockey and golf, reading, cooking and avidly cheering for the Flames and New England Patriots. Her household is home to the Battle of Alberta during NHL season.
Erin is honored to be part of the SLSFSC organization, a true cornerstone of our wonderful community, connecting people through PLAY.
Catriona Hill
Director of Experience
Born in England, Catriona (Katie) moved to Fort Smith, Northwest Territories when she was 12. Opportunity abounds in small towns! She was quickly recruited to the softball, volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams – not because of her incredible athletic talent, but because without her there weren’t enough players to compete! – and so began a life-long love of sport. From her first job as a swim instructor at thirteen, providing exceptional experiences has been at the core of her career; she is excited to find new ways to exceed guest expectations at SLSFSC. Of unusual note, Katie is a certified “Chief Happiness Officer”, a qualified professional interpreter for Banff National Park, and once danced with MC Hammer at a bar in Las Vegas! Katie’s favourite pastimes include walking her pups – Bella, a border collie and Tikka, a German shepherd cross – or running along the Elbow River and at Glenbow Ranch, and spending time playing in the mountains. In line with her passion for animals, when it comes to pro-sports she is prefers Orcas and horses.
Please feel free to reach out to Katie directly to discuss your experiences and any ideas to make SLSFSC even better. She’d love to meet you!
Jolee Coulter, CPHR
HR Manager
Originally born & raised in Saskatchewan, Jolee has lived all over western Canada, but nothing felt so much like “home” until she moved to Cochrane in 2016 with her family. Jolee has a passion for non-profit education, tourism & attractions, with over 15 years of experience working in science centres, zoos and parks, and sport & rec facilities – in a variety of roles including program development, people leadership, and human resources. A chartered member of CPHR Alberta, Jolee volunteers for their social media committee and is very active in the Calgary & Area Chapter. Jolee’s favorite SLS Centre activity is Zumba, her husband likes to use the track, and her son loves to swim and participate in summer camp.
Jory Sand
Facilities Manager
Jory is a Certified Power Engineer and is currently working towards a Real Estate Property Administrator Designation. When asked, Jory would probably rank himself as being the 57th funniest person at SLSFSC. Jory is extremely approachable and wants to help all those he encounters. Jory got into property management in an entry level position and quickly worked his way through the maintenance and building operator roles. Formerly the Building Operations Supervisor at WinSport, Jory has 13 years of property management experience and counting. In his spare time Jory enjoys riding bikes with his daughters Molly and Sasha. Escaping the hustle and bustle of city life by going to the mountains with his Fiancee Kateryna. And chasing his Border Collie “Furgie” around when she steals his socks. Jory is an avid sports fan, loves playing softball in the summer and hitting the slopes in the winter. On Sundays, he watches the Patriots, and creeps on his ex QB in Tampa Bay if he can catch their games too.
DJ Ulriksen
Aquatics Manager
DJ is a born & raised Cochranite, watching the Town of Cochrane grow through many years of change. Attending University of Calgary, DJ earned a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with Distinction. DJ was an integral part of the transition from Big Hill Leisure Pool to the Jayman BUILT Aquatic Centre and has been working with the pool for over 10 years. Continuing with her passion for swimming, DJ has been active with the local swim clubs throughout the years and was a well-rounded athlete also competing in basketball, fastpitch softball, and volleyball. DJ enjoys hitting the gym, and spending quality time with her family watching football, heading to the mountains to quad & hike, bike riding and playing with the family dog.
Brooke Sabourin
Programs Manager
Brooke was born and raised in Southern Alberta and has always had a passion for Recreation and Community. After completing her BA in Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies, Brooke went on to work for a variety of recreation complexes in and around Calgary. She has spent the past four years working at SLS Centre. She loves the sense of community that the centre has and is looking forward to many more years of building community and providing opportunities to PLAY. As mother of three, Brooke spends a lot her free time with her family, enjoying activities like camping, hockey, bike riding and many of the programs at SLS Centre.
Spray Lake Sawmills Recreation Park Society is governed by a Board of Volunteer Directors made up of active citizens and stakeholders in the community.
President & Chair
Steve Lappin
Vice President
Pat Findlater
Treasurer
Carol Erikson
Secretary
Brad Nadeau
Town of Cochrane Council Representative
Jeff Genung
Rocky View County Council Representative
Kevin Hanson
Director
Karen Tereposky
Director
Ken White
Canadian Tire Jumpstart
SLS Family Sports Centre has teamed up with Canadian Tire Jumpstart (Cochrane Chapter), to provide financially disadvantaged children living in Cochrane, with the opportunity to participate in sport and recreation programs at our facility.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart funding is set to $150 per submission. Funding amounts are subject to change based on demand and fund availability.
Funding can be used for; a SLS Family Sports Centre registered program that is either a minimum of 5 weeks in length with a minimum of one session per week or a Fit Kid Summer Sport Camps (must be 5 consecutive days).
2023 Clearwater Endowment Fund/SLS Recreation Park Society Scholarship
Two (2) $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to the top two candidates based on total criteria points scored, total of 100 points.
Eligibility
Students must be graduating from Bow Valley High, Cochrane High, St. Timothy High, Cochrane Home Educators or Springbank Community High School.
Students must be entering their first year of post-secondary education as a full-time student in Fall 2023, at a recognized institution.
Deadline to enter: 4pm, Friday, April 28, 2023
KidSport Funding - $500 per child / calendar year
KidSport provides grants to children from families facing financial barriers, so they can participate in registered sport programs. KidSport supports programs that provide the child with a sustained sport experience led by qualified instructors. Qualified children also gain access to Calgary Flames Sports Bank to get no-cost equipment so they can have all the gear they need to play.
