Current Projects

The Monumental Tournament of Aces

The Monumental Tournament of Aces (MTA) is a significant charity golf tournament held annually each Fall at the Links of Gleneagles Golf Course in Cochrane, Alberta.

The tournament was initiated by the Kimmett family following the tragic loss of their daughter Lindsay on February 17, 2008. Lindsay Kimmett was killed in a tragic vehicle collision, which prompted the creation of the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation. The MTA was established as a way to honor Lindsay's memory while making a positive impact on the local community.

Since its inception in 2008, the MTA has grown to become the largest charity golf tournament in Cochrane, attracting over 200 golfers in recent years. The MTA has become a beloved community event, combining charitable giving with a fun and inclusive golfing experience, all while preserving the memory of Lindsay Kimmett and supporting numerous local causes.

The MTA is known for its fun atmosphere, with participants often dressing up in costumes or wearing silly hats. The tournament features a unique "closest to the pin" style of play, making it accessible to participants of all skill levels. The MTA event features: raffle prizes, a silent and live auction, a post-tournament awards ceremony and a Banquet dinner.

The Monumental Tournament of Aces continues to be an important annual event in Cochrane, combining fun, philanthropy and community engagement.

Over its history, the tournament has raised over $1.3 million for various local community projects, charities and orgnizations:

2025 Cochrane Public Library and the Cochrane & Area Health Foundation
2024 Cochrane & Area Health Foundation , Bethany Care Foundation
2023 Friends of Glenbow Education Society, Big Hill Lodge, Friends
of Westbrook School Society, BGC Cochrane & Area
2022 Cultivate Cochrane, Frank Wills Memorial Society, Cochrane, Indigenous Centre, Helping Hands
2021 Big Hill Haven
2020 Cochrane Activettes Facilities Fund
2019 Camp Jubilee Playground Project
2018 Variety Children's Charity
2017 Cochrane Search And Rescue, Lindsay’s Kids Sport Sponsorships, Rotary Youth Exchange Program
2016 Cochrane Search And Rescue, Rancheview School Playground
2015 Warm Water Therapy Pool
2014 Urgent Care and STARS Ultrasound
2013 Mitford Project
2012 Boma la Mama and Five for Five
2011 The Lindsay Project – U of C School of Medicine
2010 Arts Centre
2009 Recreational Centre Twin Arenas
2008 Recreational Centre Twin Arenas

Sponsorship Opportunities
Businesses and individuals can support the event through various sponsorship levels, ranging from $750 to $10,0003. Interested parties can contact info@rotarycochrane.ca for more details on sponsorship packages for Cochrane's largest fundraising event!

Thank you to our AMAZING sponsors!

The Trans-Canada Trail

The Cochrane Rotary Club’s signature project serves to connect the trails of Calgary to Cochrane to Canmore, Alberta. Upon completion, this trail will become part of the 28,000 kilometre Trans Canada Trail Network.

The Trail will be a multi-use pathway and regional connector in the Bow Valley and will offer a diverse range of opportunities and recreation, tourism, and commuting. People of all ages and abilities will be able to explore the scenic prairie, foothills, and mountain landscapes along the length of the The Trail.

More than 60 people, the majority of which are volunteers, are working to develop and oversee the project. This project is proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cochrane, working closely with the Owners’ Council which includes representatives from the Town of Cochrane, City of Calgary, and Alberta Forestry, Parks & Tourism.

The first stage of the project will be the trail connecting Cochrane to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, a bridge across the Bow River, and a CPRail Crossing.

A lot of work has been done but there is still a lot of work to do!

For more information on The Trail, checkout the website at: https://www.connectingthetrails.ca/

During Times of Division, Look to the Trail

(Story)

Bow RiversEdge Campground Society

In 2003 an agreement was developed that included five (5) partners: Bow RiversEdge Campground Society (BRECS), the Municipal District of Rocky View (now Rocky View County), the Town of Cochrane, Cochrane Lions Club, and the Rotary Club of Cochrane. Construction of the new campground began in early 2004, under a 15-year lease of just over 12 acres of land adjacent to the Bow River. The campground, complete with 144 fully serviced sites, was officially open in 2005. The campground has ready access to an extensive network of walking, biking and off-leash dog areas. It is located adjacent to the multi-purpose SLSFSC (Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre), has ready access to downtown, and maintains a 5-Star rating with Tourism Alberta. With the expiration of the 15-year lease in 2018, BRECS negotiated a purchase of the campground from Rocky View County and now owns and operates the facility, furthering the goals and 20-year partnership between the Lions and Rotary Clubs of Cochrane.

The founding premise of the enterprise was to return 100% of profits to the community and surrounding area. While some of the revenue has been retained for expansion and capital expenditures, to date $928,000 has been re-invested in the community including $100,000 in support of the new pool at SLSFSC. The re-investment process has supported:

• Lions Events Centre.

• Medical equipment for Cochrane’s Urgent Care Facility.

• Youth campgrounds.

• Youth sports teams

- Youth development programs.

• Football field (artificial turf) at Bow Valley High School.

• Trail development in Cochrane.

• Cochrane Public Library.

• Community support agencies; and

• $30,000 annually to each of the Lions and Rotary Clubs for individual projects.

Find out more at https://bowriversedge.com/

Bike Ride to End Polio

Cochrane’s Dan Paarsmarkt has promises to keep, and miles to go before he sleeps.

That slightly paraphrased last line from Robert Frost may pop into Paarsmarkt’s head a few times on the 1600 km bike ride from the Northwest Territories to the Montana border he has planned for this summer.

He’s in the middle of training for the marathon ride, and appeared before his fellow Rotarians this week to update them on preparations for the ride. They are looking for financial support for the ride, which kicks off from the Cochrane Legion on June 3. Currently, he is looking for corporate sponsorships/contributions from individuals to help defray some of his costs for the trip itself (hotels, gas, etc). All donations/sponsorships from the ride will go towards providing polio vaccination programs around the world.

Through an arrangement with Rotary International, for every dollar Paarsmarkt’s ride raises, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will kick in three.

The retired 61-year old will drive to the Northwest Territories border with co-pilot Hank Pilotte and then the real workouts start June 5, when he hopes to bike about 200 km a day. He plans on completing his ride in Cochrane on June 17, after riding up from the Montana border. His training starts in earnest as the weather allows over the next few weeks.

A few years ago Paarsmarkt was turned on to a form of long distance riding called Randonneuring, which is a recreational cycling niche that inspires riders to push beyond what they believed they were capable of, riding distances of 200 to 1200 kilometres.
He has done trips to Vancouver and Seattle, and has done 1200-km trips five times.
“Those were the five most difficult things I’ve done in my life,” Paarsmarkt said.

“You have a set distance and a set time. You pack all your gear, and it’s kind of like vacationing on the cheap,” he said.

Paarsmarkt calls winter “one of the drawbacks of living in this country” as the poor riding conditions cut into his training schedule.

“Every spring you start at ground zero and have to work your way back up.”

He’s riding about 50 km/day these days. By mid April he hopes to be able to take on a 200 km ride.

Among his other previous rides was a west-east trip across Alberta.

Paarsmarkt chose polio as his cause as he observed how little progress was being made to eradicate it, despite ongoing efforts to raise vaccination rates to a level where herd immunity takes over.

For more information email: rotaryclubofcochrane@gmail.com

House of Oneness Wazin Ichinabi Ti

Wazin Îchinabi Ti (pronounced wah-ZHEEDN een-chee-NAH-bee TEE), Lyahre Nakoda for “House of Oneness”, is committed to creating a space for Indigenous teachings in Cochrane. Oneness is about unity, being together and connected with each other, same heart, same mind and spirit that comes from a good place.

The Rotary Club of Cochrane, along with engagement with Indigenous advisory (and Cochrane residents) established a board and not-for-profit status. Grant funds were received to open a centre for programming. To date, 14 learning circle sessions have been hosted and 10 at the new centre. The end goal will be to be operationally independent in 2025.

Find out more at https://wazinichinabihouse.ca/