This is my first report since assuming the position of President for the Cambrian Heights Community Association at the November meeting. While I have been a resident of this community for over 25 years it is only in the last few years that I have come to appreciate the volunteer work necessary to manage, fund and develop the programs for the Community. Fortunately we have had great people step up in the past and as a result your Community is well funded and offers a Community Hall well maintained and accessible for a wide variety of social activities.
During the past year a number of facility upgrades has enhanced the Community Hall in the Edelweiss Preparatory School classrooms downstairs and the kitchen and washrooms on the main floor. Lighting and painting have upgraded the outside of the Hall and a continuing effort is being made to improve the usefulness of the Hall to host community activities. The 2014 capital program was over $85,000 of which the City of Calgary provided grants of approximately $45,000. Plans are being formalized for some additional capital improvements in 2015.
The Community Hall is currently being utilized for weekly yoga, jazzercise and church activities as well as weddings and special social events. Recently the Community Halloween party was held and was a great success with over 135 attendees. Thanks goes to the organization volunteers for a very fun filled evening for both children and parents with music, costume awards and contests. For the first time, a Scavenger Photo contest was held in association with Halloween. While the participation was not large, a number of enthusiastic participants sent in photos. A summary of the contest winners and pictures is shown elsewhere in this chronicle.
One of our objectives will be to increase in 2015 the Community events at the Hall and already we are discussing initiating an annual Winter Carnival for February centered around the ice rink. The use of the Hall and facilities is only limited by volunteer availability and ideas that bring the community families together. We are a small community with an increasing number of new residents as the demographics change in this inner city neighbourhood. We welcome ideas and all levels of participation to expand the number of community events. Please contact any member of the Board to discuss the possibilities for new ideas and events.
Early this summer, the Board recognized the growing level of construction permits being approved by the City in our community. While this has not reached the level of activity being experienced by some of our adjoining communities, we thought it prudent to form a Planning Committee to address this issue for the Board and impacted residents. This committee has taken shape with three directors, including myself, establishing the objectives and terms of reference for the committee with the help of the Federation of Calgary Communities (“FCC”). We will be looking for community volunteers for this committee in the new year. Anyone interested is learning about this very impacting development activity or discussing the role of the committee should contact existing members as identified in the Community Directors list.
The Board of Directors has also initiated, with the help of the City Community Recreational Coordinator, the development of a Business Plan for the Community to better focus objectives, communication and participation within our neighbourhood. This will provide guidance and objectives for our 2015 programs and budget. In addition, we will focus in 2015 on enhancing our community communications through improving our website and social media resources.
All the above initiatives will be designed to increase our memberships and provide value to the community residents and reasons to get involved. Our Community Association remains the focal point to maintain and improve the experience of living in Cambrian Heights. Participation, however, remains the ultimate key for success.
As we enter the Christmas and Holiday Season, each of us on the Cambrian Heights Board extends best wishes to you and your families for a safe and happy Holiday Season and New Year.
Daryl Connolly, President
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