COCHRANE, Alta. – The Western Heritage Centre at Cochrane officially opened July 1.
Coming in at a final cost of $15 million, the centre takes its visitors on a walk through western Canadian ranching history that leads straight to life on a modern ranch.
The centre will be event-driven, said special events co-ordinator Linda Frederick.
It will stage regular events like tours, children’s sleepovers, conventions, educational days and private functions such as weddings.
The centre isn’t funded with government money, she said.
It houses the Canadian Rodeo Hall of Fame, a western art gallery, as well as a theatre and large restaurant. Frederick said the goal is to attract 350,000 visitors every year.
Because exhibits will change regularly, the museum section is always looking for artifacts and donations.
Items needed at the museum range from water dippers used on the farm to Indian arrow heads.
