With no shortage of dancers in Cochrane, Snap Dance Studios is expanding their footprint by taking over the former roasterie Coffee Traders.

While their newly acquired space is not right beside them, it will provide the studio to offer more times, classes and hopefully alleviate some parking issues.

Courtney Sproule, Owner of Snap Dance, says they are excited to expand and bring more dance opportunities to town. "More programs, different types of dance and improved class times which is a big one. We want to make sure people can get to dance in a reasonable amount of time and then even for older kids they dance really late historically at Snap and so we want to bring those end times a little earlier."

The new space will allow Sproule to tweak the schedule and take a close look at which classes may need more time rather than the usual 45 minute to a one-hour time frame. "I can look at that and say what is really needed?! Is it a technique class, does it need more time? I can potentially lengthen the class if needed."

While Sproule and her team have not completely nailed down exactly what new classes they will be offering, she has tons of ideas. "Things like ballroom and more musical theatre classes for older levels, and adult classes. I had to basically cut all that out and just focus on kids because we didn't have the capacity."

Sproule also wants to work on collaborating with other businesses. "I want to put a call out to like-minded organizations like exercise, yoga...I have always had lots of requests but couldn't really accommodate very well and now we can. We have space for the community and not just for Snap, we can be a space people can rent if they want to run a class."

Even though Sproule shares expanding the studio under one roof would have been her number one preference, this is a good compromise. "This is kind of second best; it's not perfect but in today's market commercial real estate is at a premium, it's hard to find spots in an ideal location plus we have a really great space right now with our two studios and how we set it all up."

The new location is across the alley from the current and is quite roomy with a large front entranceway, changing area and studio space comparable to what is offered in their current location.

Sproule isn't sure exactly how many new dancers will be added to their current 450 student roster but says her goal is to never turn anyone away. "We want to make sure as we expand it can still be a comfortable situation. We are open to keeping growing that is just what we want to do. For me, dance changed my life as a kid, it made me who I am and I learned some pretty awesome life lessons; so the more kids we can do that with, change their lives and teach them new things, the happier we are."

Currently, Sproule and her team are working on scheduling all three studios and which classes will be offered where and when before registration opens to current dance families on May 7 and the community at large on May 14.

If you are interested in talking to Sproule about the new space you can email her at courtney@snapdancestudios.com