Cochrane Legion getting a ‘face lift’ thanks to an army of volunteers

A northwest Calgary community is upset that a playground was demolished

An army of volunteers descended on the Cochrane Legion to tackle painting the main floor of the facility that turned 51 in November 2025.

Phonsie Corcoran, a 20 year member of the legion, spearheaded the initiative by contacting Avalon Master Builders whose staff volunteered to paint and Vola Coatings who supplied the paint and equipment needed for the job.

Corcoran’s ultimate goal is to drum up more business for the Legion.

“For a long time I’ve started to see the Legion’s decline, like when people come in here,” said Corcoran. “So I got thinking, if we start (renting out space here) people would come in and it’ll start getting a little bit busier so this is why it needs a little facelift.

“It’s going to attract more people in.”

Chris Williams, Avalon president, says the company builds a lot of homes in the community west of Calgary -- and close to 20 team members jumped at the chance to refresh the legion.

“I just right away said yes without really thinking about the impact,” he said. “And then when you’re talking to the people at the Legion and you’re just like wow, this was the right thing to do so it’s a feel good thing to do.”

Andy Lichman, from Vola Coatings, is based in Calgary and works closely with Avalon.

“There’s nothing better than helping out a community, especially the veterans,” Lichman said. “The Legion, they’ve been around forever, they are a great example for the community and we just want to be a part of it.”

“We’re looking at close to $4,000 worth of time and material, we’ve been grateful to work with Sherwin Williams,” he added. “They’ve helped us out on this and of course our staff are very much ambitious to be a part of it all.”

Corcoran isn’t working a paintbrush but used his contacts to bring in some fresh Atlantic Cod and he’s preparing lunch for all the volunteers.

“The fish come in from the east coast, Newfoundland,” he said. “We got the beer batter and we’re making it all from scratch too, just like if you were back home in Newfoundland, you know so it’s going to be good for everybody.”

Overwhelmed

Brad Ross, Legion president said he was overwhelmed at the support for the project from the community.

“A job like this, you’re looking at well over $10,000,” he said. “We’re repainting the main floor, getting rid of the old colors and just smoothing things out as well as all the plugs are getting replaced so that they’re a little bit more modern, a few of the old ceiling fans and a few of the old lights that are really outdated, that aren’t working are getting replaced.”

Ross has been the president for two years and is a veteran himself. He says the Legion is an important part of the community for people who served their countries at times of conflict.

“A lot of us have a hard time asking for help,” he said. “And when people step up and do this, it’s really warming and it just goes to show there are people out there that do have good intentions in mind, that are here to for the benefit of others and that’s why I’m here - to help others, to give back to those less fortunate than myself.”

The painting project is likely going to take only one day but then Ross is looking at refurbishing the washrooms, the bar and getting a new deck.

“We’re fundraising for the deck and we’re trying to get quotes for the bar,” he said. “But if there’s companies that want to come in and help out you know, we won’t say no to that ever.”

Learn more about the Legion here: https://www.cochranelegion.ca/