A long-standing community hub in Cochrane is marking 25 years of service with a new name, a major renovation and a look toward the future.
Frank Wills Memorial Hall offically opened on April 15th, 2000 and will soon be renamed the Wills Community Hall.
“We thought it would be more fit for purpose and more clear what it is,” says Mike Metz, a board member for the hall. “It’s more representative of what it is and that’s what it’s always functioned as.”
Originally built as a space for Scouts, Guides and local youth, the hall has become a vibrant part of the community.
The facility now hosts a wide range of programs and events, including weddings, sporting activities, community meetings and a dance studio.
“It’s a bustling place with lots of opportunity for people in town to utilize the facility.”
The anniversary comes with more than just a name change. Starting in June, the hall will undergo one of it's largest renovation to date.
A new commercial kitchen will be installed, enhancing the experience for renters and creating more options for community programming.
“This will be significant for people that currently rent like weddings and stuff,” Metz says. “They’ll have lots more options.”
The renovation is expected to run from June to September and is estimated to cost around $250,000.
“It’s a big expenditure,” Metz says. “Mel, our hall manager, has really done a good job getting support from various avenues.”
The last major addition to the hall was the dance studio, which has become a staple for young atheletes in Cochrane.
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The hall was named after Frank Wills, a beloved Cochrane volunteer and community leader. Over the years, the space has grown to reflect his legacy of service and connection.
“This building has always been about community,” Metz says. “The name might be changing, but that spirit isn’t.”
The journey to establish the hall began with Maureen Wills and the Frank Wills Memorial Society. After years of planning, fundraising and determination, their dream became a reality.
Each week, those groups continue to meet in the hall, honouring the legacy of support for youth in Cochrane.
A small celebration is planned for April 12 to mark the milestone and unveil the future of the hall.