President’s Message – March 2024

While March generally signals the end of the outdoor ice we did enjoy our eighth annual Polar Party on January 27 featuring hot beverages provided by Tim Hortons and the Bullet Coffee Shop along with pastries sourced through Ola Luna Bakeshop on 40th Avenue. The weather was surprisingly warm for the ice surface by the afternoon but music provided by Moontide Agency, a resident DJ, kept everyone entertained. Over 100 residents and visitors enjoyed the skating, fire pit and the impromptu snowmen building. The enclosed pictures highlight the Rink Rat crew that make both ice sheets available and the popular goodies table during the event. We thank the ice rink volunteers for another successful season.
We are planning our second Celtic Dancing evening March 9 (see the website for tickets and details cambrianheightscommunity.com ). Attendance will be restricted so we urge you to obtain tickets to avoid disappointment. In addition a Volunteer Appreciation night is planned for April 12. We also encourage res-idents to attend who may wish to explore volunteering in the future in support of our community. Details will be available on our website and Facebook page. Beyond that we have plans to host our third annual Bicycle Day in May and have applied to the City with Rosemont for a Community Cleanup date in May or June.

It is never too early to consider joining the garden group on the Hall grounds. We have plots available this summer for residents who are interested in growing your own vegetables. If you are interested contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com for more information.

This summer the hall grounds will welcome for the third year Die Volksmesse car show on July 13.
Also the Hall welcomes back for its third year the Between Friends summer camp. They plan to hold an open house for Parents at the Hall June 27 for those who might be interested in enrolling their children this summer. See betweenfriends.ab.ca for details.

Re-development within Cambrian Heights will continue in 2024. With anticipated changes this year to zoning bylaws by City Council establishing a City wide RC-G designation, we will witness more multi family housing construction in the future with the corresponding issues of increased density and street parking. This densification will be further impacted by the potential removal of all parking restrictions on new developments and the permitting of both secondary suites and back yard suites on a single parcel of land. This program promises an easing to the housing crisis over time supported by a promise of Federal funding. We encourage individuals to follow developments on the City website (calgary.ca) as these bylaw amendments are explained. The last chance to file comments will be a public hearing with City Council April 22.

The Community continues to need volunteers to replace our interim Treasurer and Social Media volunteer. These positions provide the Community Association financial controls and coordinate our social media communications activities. They both offer an opportunity to join an experienced team and the opportunity to help develop the programs, events and residential planning for Cambrian Heights. It is your community. Help make it better for your family by volunteering even on a limited basis. To discuss any volunteer opportunities please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com.
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

President’s Message – February 2024

January provided the onset of winter which was celebrated by our eighth annual Polar Party January 27 with hot beverages, cookies and music for all. While the date for writing of this letter does not allow me to summarize the events of that day we hope the weather cooperated and was an event enjoyed by all participants. We are planning a Volunteer Appreciation evening in Q2 for all those who helped organize and run social events as well as those who make the Casino funding for the Community possible. We are also planning a repeat of the highly successful Ceili Dance social for March 9. Check our website for dates and details (cambrianheightscommunity.com). Our Yoga and Fitness programs also are continuing with details in this newsletter.

We encourage residents to utilize our excellent outdoor ice surfaces behind the community hall and serviced by a dedicated group of volunteers. It is never too late to volunteer some time to help out our Rink Rats. See contact information for Scott Jacobson in our list of community volunteers. Fabrication of a fire pit is complete and by the reading of this newsletter will have been in operation. Look to the website for advanced scheduling of this ice rink feature as we test its usage with safety considerations.

Re-development within Cambrian Heights will continue into 2024. With anticipated changes in Q2 of this year to zoning bylaws by City Council, establishing a City wide RC-G designation, we will witness more multi family housing construction in the future with the corresponding issues of increased density and street parking. This densification will be further impacted by the removal of all parking restrictions on new developments and the permitting of both secondary suites and back yard suites on a single parcel of land. We encourage individuals to follow developments on the City website (calgary.ca) as these bylaw amendments are approved to appreciate the limits in our ability to modify such new development designs. Our Planning committee will continue to monitor these changes and comment to the City planners and our Ward 4 Councillor where concerns exist. 

As part of our program to work with Calgary Parks to improve our community green spaces, we have decided to add a Cambrian Heights community sign in the park bordering Northmount and Cambrian Drives this year. While preliminary sign designs are being discussed at the Board level we welcome any suggestions for the sign design from community residents. If you have a comment or ideas please forward them to us at cambrianheights@gmail.com.

The Community continues to need volunteers to replace our interim Treasurer and Social Media Director. These positions provide the Community Association financial controls  and coordinate our social media communications activities. They both offer an opportunity to join an experienced team and the opportunity to help develop the programs, events and residential planning for Cambrian Heights. It is your community. Help make it better for your family by volunteering even on a limited basis. To discuss any volunteer opportunities please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com .

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

With a new year upon us the Board extends best wishes to all our community residents for 2024. We continue to offer social events designed to appeal to the cross section of our residents. For 2024 we plan to continue with our annual Polar Party this winter and are also planning a volunteer appreciation evening early in the new year for all those who help design, organize and run events as well as those who make the Casino funding for the Community possible. Check our website for dates and details. Our Yoga and Fitness programs will continue for those looking to fulfill their New Years resolutions. 

A hearty shout out goes to our Social Committee for two very successful events closing out our 2023 activity. The Lego Contest was reintroduced after a COVID caused suspension and drew 56 entries in 6 age categories. Everyone enjoyed the contest and sponsors were found contributing to the prizes and special thanks to Noah Sonnenburg, Stephen Joe (Season 3 Lego Masters NA contestant), Mike Allan and Nancy Else for judging. I have attached a picture from the event but reference you to our website for additional photos. 

On December 8 the Community held its first ever Movie Night with pizza, popcorn and a Christmas movie. There were over 85 participants which made the evening a complete success for kids and adults alike.  I have attached a picture from the event below. 

We encourage residents to utilize our excellent outdoor ice surfaces behind the community hall and serviced by a dedicated group of volunteers. Plans have been made to add a fireplace some evenings to afford a warmup opportunity. Look to the website for advanced scheduling of this ice rink feature.

Re-development within Cambrian Heights is anticipated to continue into 2024. With anticipated changes to zoning bylaws by City Council it will be more difficult to restrict multi family housing construction with the corresponding issues of density and traffic. We encourage individuals to follow developments on the City website (calgary.ca) as these rules change to understand the limits in our ability to modify such new development designs. Our Planning committee will continue to monitor such developments and comment to the City planners and our Ward 4 Councillor where concerns exist.

We continue to work with Calgary Parks to improve our community green spaces. The addition of two new picnic tables and the promise of more trees in 2024 to the Cambrian Off Leash Park on 32nd Avenue was very welcome as was the new bench in the park bordering Northmount and Cambrian Drives. Some preliminary discussions are also underway concerning the park on 39th Ave. and 10th Street. If you have ideas for any of our park spaces please let us know (cambrianheights@gmail.com). 

The Community continues to need volunteers to replace our interim Treasurer and Social Media Director. These positions provide the Community Association financial controls  and coordinate our social media communications activities. These both are opportunities to join an experienced team with systems in place and help develop the programs, events and planning for Cambrian Heights. It is your community. Help make it better for your family by volunteering even on a limited basis. To discuss any volunteer opportunities please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com .

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

At the writing of this report October has brought us bright colours and mild fall temperatures. This has allowed for continued use of our many park spaces including adjoining Confederation Park and nearby Nose Hill. November will bring the potential of snow and colder temperatures. Our two outdoor rinks have always been well maintained and enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Their maintenance is dependent upon volunteers and we ask if you wish to lend any assistance to the Rink rats it will be well received. Especially this winter with plans for a fire pit to enjoy. Please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com to offer your help even on a limited basis. 

We held our annual Pumpkin Event this year on October 21. We distributed free pumpkins to all those who visited us at the Community Hall steps. We plan to add an additional Christmas themed event before year end and kick off 2024 with another outdoor Polar Skating party in January. 

Recently City Council passed a resolution approving a motion that will eliminate all R-C1 zoning (single family detached) in Calgary in favour of re-zoning to R-CG for all residential areas, enabling multi family structures on existing single housing lots plus permitting secondary suites and backyard suites on one parcel of land, and eliminating parking requirements. This process is of course being driven in the name of the reported housing cost and availability crisis. There are still some regulatory steps to complete before the Bylaws are changed but expect to see such development accelerate into 2024. We will continue to monitor the changes as they occur. If you have questions on these planning development issues or the process please reference the City website at calgary.ca .

The previously reported garden project at the park space bordering Cambrian and Northmount Drives continues to progress thanks to a group of resident volunteers and contributions from Calgary Parks. We have initiated a signage design to provide a visible entrance to our community at this location. 

The Community continues to need volunteers to replace our Treasurer and our Social Media Director. These are critical positions for the Community Association controlling our finance and communications activities. We also are looking for volunteer Directors to enhance our ability to plan events and programs. This is an opportunity to join an experienced team and help develop the programs, events and planning for Cambrian Heights. It is your community. Help make it better for your family by volunteering even on a limited basis. To discuss any volunteer opportunities please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com .

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA