Interest has spiked for the Rocky View Schools Board of Trustees in Cochrane and area.

Three people are vying for the Cochrane seat (Ward 6) and three are in the running for Ward 5 that surrounds Cochrane in the western part of the division.

It's the most candidates we've seen in well over a decade.

In Cochrane, incumbent Fiona Gilbert is being challenged by Peter Fortna and Simon Ongom.

In Ward 5, incumbent Judi Hunter will be running against Jerry Arshinoff and Gerry Neustaedter.

Advance polls begin to open across the division the first week of October.

Election day is Oct. 18, the same as the municipal election.