On March 15, in reaction to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the City of Calgary ordered the closing of all community and recreational buildings. This shut down all programs and services at our community hall. This will, of course, result in a loss of revenue through rentals during the as yet undetermined length of this shutdown. We have taken appropriate steps in terms of cost control while assuring ourselves of administrative continuity when the crisis clears. There will be an impact on previously scheduled events. The French Wine Tasting scheduled for May 9 has been moved to November 14. The Cambrian School Yard Sale April 25 has been cancelled. A new event, Girls Night Out, has been moved from June 13 to as yet an undetermined date in the Fall. Many of our committees will also experience a slowdown in activities through this period and will impact much of our directions in planning, safety and park developments. We trust Cambrian Heights residents will appreciate the new challenges facing our volunteers. Any updates will be published on our website, through email blasts to those registered through our website and on our Facebook page.

I am sure everyone recognizes the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and respects the Provincial guidelines with regard to social distancing and hygiene. We wish everyone in our community good health and encourage patience as we together work through a devastating period both emotionally and for many of us financially. Hopefully, at the publication of this Newsletter, we will be progressing out of this health crisis.

Our Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on June 25. We elect the Board of Directors at our AGM for a one year term. However, due to the COVID-19 virus and the resultant uncertainty as to when the City Community Halls will reopen, it is likely that the AGM will be postponed to the Fall. Check the June Newsletter or our website for updates as to this possibility.

We encourage new participation at the Board level to maintain the programs, events, ideas and fiscal strength of our community. In particular, we are looking for residents with a financial background to either assume or help in the Treasurer role. Despite this potential delay, please do not hesitate to contact the President at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com if you are interested in participating at any capacity in the Community activities or at a Board level. It is especially important if you are able to help out in the Treasury role.

We have held an Asado BBQ in September for the last two years. We would like to continue this very successful event which not only features fine food and beverage but aspiring musicians from Cambrian Heights and the nearby communities. What we need are volunteers interested in organizing this event. We anticipate changes in the format and will welcome suggestions. Please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com.

Our weekly drop-in yoga program and our general fitness programs (Body-Lift, Kettlebell Kick-boxing, New Cardio-Barre Fusion and New Barre Above) were forced to adjust in regards to their physical presence at the Community Hall with the City mandated closures. However both Lorene Hughes – fitness (scarybunnybefit@gmail.com) and Kyrsten Blair – yoga (kyrstenblair@icloud.com) have moved these programs online. Please contact them if you would like to participate from home or to get updates as to when the programs will be allowed to return to the Community Hall.

The Planning Committee is currently very active in reviewing and commenting on the City published Guidebook for Calgary Communities available at www.calgary.ca or on our Community webpage. We encourage everyone to read this document as it is scheduled to be presented for review and approval to City Council April 27. We recognize the City’s focus on the densification of the inner city communities is driven by the cost of providing municipal services and funding issues associated with unlimited urban sprawl. However, the guidelines proposed will allow previously single-family zoned areas, such as much of Cambrian Heights, to be developed with duplexes, four-plexes, row housing and taller homes mixed with commercial enterprises. We are combining with neighbouring communities to comment and recommend further public consultations. We submitted a letter to the City and all of Council recommending a postponement of the scheduled April 27 hearing on this issue. This letter was supported by other communities as well as a second letter requesting, as a result of the issues surrounding COVID-19, for a postponement of the public engagement deadline around the Municipal Development Plan and the Calgary Transportation Plan.

Cambrian Heights has maintained a Community Garden for a number of years. In the past, there has always been a waiting list for plots. This is no longer the case. If you are interested in utilizing one of these plots for a vegetable garden or have questions, please contact Christine Breed at garden@cambrianheightscommunity.com.

A recent decision by the City cancelled all Community Cleanups for 2020. We will update residents should this decision change.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 4. Dependent on City directives, in regards to the COVIID-19 virus, this meeting may be held utilizing remote technology. For this meeting, we are further discouraging residents from attending. These meetings normally take place at the Georgina Thomson City building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive at 6:30 PM.

Remember Participation Builds Your Community’s Value.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Upcoming Events at Cambrian Heights Hall

Our March 7 Volunteer Appreciation evening was once again hampered by winter weather. However, over 25 residents did attend and were warmed with wine, snacks, a trivia pursuit contest plus a preview of our preliminary ideas to enhance the current Off-Leash Dog Park by Queens Park Cemetery. We also discussed a gardening project being proposed around the Hall plus the recent City of Calgary Guidelines for Great Communities proposals. I have added some pictures from the evening. We thank those that attended and extend our appreciation to all volunteer efforts for those who could not attend.

We are planning a Wine Tasting on May 9 which will have a southern France “Provence” theme. Be sure to mark your calendars for this opportunity to enjoy tasting six wines from this magical area of southern France with a charcuterie board to enhance the taste buds. See the poster in this month’s Newsletter for details and buy your tickets on our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com). Tickets are limited so get yours early.

The Cambrian School Parents, supported by the Community Association, will be hosting a Yard Sale Saturday, April 25th. If you want to purchase a table for $20 to sell your household items please contact the School Council at cambrian.schoolcouncil@gmail.com. Otherwise, come out that day to see what bargains present themselves.

As a new event, we are planning a Girls Night Out on Saturday, June 13. This will feature wine, snacks, bingo games with prizes and is being co-sponsored by Tupperware representatives who live in Cambrian Heights. More details will be forthcoming as the event draws closer.

On a more serious theme, our Annual General Meeting will now be held June 25. If you want to understand the City planning and development issues, our progress with enhancements to our Off-Leash Dog park, social and educational events planned for the remainder of 2020, or simply to add your voice to future directives, please join us that evening.

We have held an Asado BBQ in September for the last two years. We would like to continue this very successful event which not only features fine food and beverage but aspiring musicians from Cambrian Heights and the nearby communities. What we need are volunteers interested in organizing this event. We anticipate changes in the format and will welcome suggestions. Please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com .

Our weekly drop-in yoga program and our general fitness programs (Body-Lift, Kettlebell Kickboxing, New Cardio-Barre Fusion and New Barre Above) continue. These are small classes with individual attention. Feel comfortable and energized. Details may be found on our website or this edition of the Community Newsletter.

The Planning Committee is currently very active in reviewing and commenting on the City published Guidebook for Calgary Communities available at www.calgary.ca or on our Community webpage. We encourage everyone to read this document as it is scheduled to be presented for review and approval to City Council April 27. We recognize the City’s focus on the densification of the inner city communities is driven by the cost of providing municipal services and funding issues associated with unlimited urban sprawl. However, the guidelines proposed will allow previously single-family zoned areas, such as much of Cambrian Heights, to be developed with duplexes, fourplexes, row housing and taller homes mixed with commercial enterprises. We are combining with neighbouring communities to comment and recommend further public consultations. If you want your voice to be heard please review the Guideline document and comment to us or your Ward 4 Councillor Sean Chu.

We elect the Board of Directors at our Annual General Meeting in June for a one year term. We encourage new participation at this level to maintain the programs, events, ideas and fiscal strength of our community. In particular, we are looking for residents with a financial background to either assume or help in the Treasurer role. Please contact the President at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com if you are interested in participating at the Board level and especially help out in the Treasury role.

The next meeting of the Board will take place on May 4.  All residents are welcome to attend. These meetings normally take place at the Georgina Thomson City building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive at 6:30 PM.

Remember Participation Builds Your Community’s Value.
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Upcoming Events at Cambrian Heights Hall

Our upcoming events are a March 7 Volunteer Appreciation evening with wine, beer, games and snacks for all those who make our past events a success and for those interested in learning how they can contribute in 2020 and beyond.  Meet your neighbours, learn more about your community, view our facilities and help make Cambrian Heights a vibrant and welcoming place to live.

We are planning a Wine Tasting on May 9 which will have a southern France “Provence” theme. Be sure to mark your calendars for this opportunity to enjoy wines from this magical area of southern France with cheese, bread and meats to enhance the taste buds. On a more serious theme, our Annual General Meeting will be held June 16. If you want to understand the City planning and development issues, our progress with enhancements to our Off-Leash Dog park, social and educational events planned for the remainder of 2020, or simply to add your voice to future directives, please join us that evening.

By mid-March, our outdoor ice rinks are generally negatively impacted by weather. I want to take this opportunity to thanks Scott Jacobson and his crew (Brent Else, Dave Lamoureux, Jack Dorval, Rob Kirk, Ryan Bowen, Tyler Reilly, Raymond Haspel and Justin Novak ) for their outstanding dedication throughout the winter season in maintaining an excellent quality of ice on our two rinks. Participation and appreciation continue to increase from residents and adjoining community participants. In retrospect, we picked the worst day (warm and rain) of the winter for our Polar Party (February 1) but recognize the valiant efforts of Scott’s crew against Mother Nature.

Our weekly drop-in yoga program and our general fitness programs (Body-Lift, Kettlebell Kickboxing, New Cardio-Barre Fusion and New Barre Above) continue. These are small classes with individual attention. Feel comfortable and energized. Details may be found on our website.

The Planning Committee remains very active in response to increasing developmental permit applications in Cambrian Heights. They also are responding to “cut-thru” safety traffic issues that appear to be awaiting a decision from City Council on residential traffic speed limits. Of a major nature is the overall planning changes being considered for Calgary. The recently published Guidebook for Calgary Communities published by the City of Calgary (available at www.calgary.ca) envisions the complete overhaul of development approval processes involving the grouping of existing communities into Local Area Plans. An example of this, readily available at the City website, is the North Hill Plan involving 10 communities. These plans establish higher density areas of development after a consultation process with representatives of the communities involved. The idea is to streamline the building permit process. We encourage your involvement in this major change to how Cambrian Heights will be developed in future years.

The next meeting of the Board will take place on April 6.  All residents are welcome to attend. These meetings normally take place at the Georgina Thomson City building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive at 6:30 PM.

Remember Participation Builds Your Community’s Value.
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Upcoming Events at Cambrian Heights Hall