Winter Experience
Winter in Cochrane offers up some of the finest Northern Ontario traditions. A member of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Cochrane’s Polar Bear Riders’ Snowmobile Club grooms and maintains 650 kilometres of trail network for local touring like the Abitibi Canyon Loop, as well as trails that connect the town to the great outdoors in Timmins, Iroquois Falls, Smooth Rock Falls, and Quebec. For the true northern hockey fan, Cochrane’s contemporary hockey facility – The Tim Horton Events Centre – enjoys a NHL sized rink, complete with a community hall, fitness center and contemporary recreational complex. The town also hosts the oldest of Ontario’s winter carnivals; the Polar Bear Dip, 3v3 Pond Hockey Tournament, and fishing derby are just some of the exciting events at the second largest winter carnival in Ontario.
Local Clubs
There are over 30 clubs in Cochrane. Whether you want to participate in traditional sports clubs, axillary outfits, or something new and modern, there is a club for you. And if you don’t find your extracurricular interest on our list, we welcome you to start the next big club in our town.
Small Town, Big Events
Cochrane loves to celebrate its northern culture. Events like the Torch Light Parade, “Live like a Northerner” Summerfest, the Annual Fall Fair, and Heritage Days all embody the close-knit, family fun philosophy of Cochrane. The annual Torch Light Parade sees the town’s Christmas trees lit over two stories high and two garages wide. Summerfest has all the fixings of summertime fun: a corn roast, canoe races, a fish fry, and fireworks. The Annual Fall Fair is full of creativity: painting, quilting, photography competitions and more; and Heritage Days bring out antique cars and tractors for all to reminisce on days past.
Programs For All
Cochrane is home to a variety of community programs catering to all ages and activity levels. With bowling, dance, curling, soccer, hockey, swimming, skating and fitness classes. Those seeking an opportunity to stay fit while engaging in either a team or individual sport have a bevy of activities to choose from. In addition to offering these more traditional options, the Town of Cochrane has also spearheaded a number of innovative initiatives through its Doable Neighbourhood Project. This pilot project consists of implementing various activities based on a practical and participatory approach to creating healthier neighbourhoods through community engagement, activities and events. With the goal of facilitating people from ages eight to eighty to be more active, Cochrane has implemented the first Bike Share program in Northern Ontario. In their efforts to further encourage active healthy living and a sense of community, the town has also installed a permanent water tube slide at Lake Commando and has acquired new kayaks, paddle boats and canoes which can be rented by both residents and tourists.
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