The Community Hall will witness an upgrade this summer to establish our facility as a full commercial kitchen. This will allow increased usage of the kitchen and thereby expand the types of events that may be hosted at the Hall. This program has been in planning and development for the past three years. With grants from both the City of Calgary and the Provincial Government, the cost of this work will be minimal for the Community. The challenge will be to generate ideas and programs that will develop its use potential into 2018 and 2019. Renting it out to commercial enterprises can add revenue for the Community but we hope its greatest use will be through community activities whether social, educational or charitable. If you have any ideas please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com

As a result of this renovation, we have suspended the Annual Stampede Breakfast for this year due to the inaccessibility to our kitchen facilities and construction activity. This annual event will return in 2018. Not to forget however will be the City sponsored July 1st celebrations at Confederation Park. There will be family-friendly activities from 9am – 1pm starting with a pancake breakfast, horse-drawn wagon rides, live entertainment on the Stampede Stage, a new natural play space and the opening of the 1967 time capsule.

Our next social event will be Saturday, September 30 where we will taste Canadian wines in honour of Canada’s 150th Birthday. Watch for details on our website and Community Newsletter. If you wish to volunteer or have questions about this event please contact Barb Milne at blmilne@shaw.ca.

Your community offers excellent facilities and the financial ability to promote more social or educational activities for our residents. We have evening space available for community use. Our community always welcomes residents who wish to initiate new programs or join our Social Committee to bring new ideas for recreational or educational evenings. You need only commit time to help organize and help manage one such activity a year. We have dedicated and experienced Directors to help guide and advise but need more members offering a little time once a year to help expand and improve our Programs and Events. Please contact myself at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com or any other director for further insights into participation with our volunteer team.

At our Annual General Meeting this year we approved an increase to the Membership fees effective January 1, 2018 to better reflect the value of membership and compare to surrounding communities. Single memberships increased to $10/year, Family to $20/year,  Associate membership to $20/year and Senior rates remained at $5/year. Corporate memberships were reduced to $50/year.  With reduced rates for community members, attendance at one or more social events during the year recoups the cost of the annual membership. We also announced an increase in our Hall and kitchen rental rates that will become effective in 2018.

In terms of financial impact to the community association nothing exceeds our Casino dates held under the auspices of the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission. This year we will be providing volunteers for two days, August 31 and September 1. Providing volunteers is extremely important as the funding is the main source of community revenue and we must not loose our privileges. If you can spare some volunteer time during the day or evening please contact either Dan Vallee (danvalee@shaw.ca) or Sonya Hnatiw (hnatiw13@shaw.ca).

We continue to use a Facebook page to help communications and stimulate informational sharing and discussion amongst residents of the Community. It is under “Groups” with an address of “cambrianheightscommunity”. Please register for the Group and join this conversational page and share your thoughts and insights about where you live. Suggestions on improving existing or adding new social/educational programs are always welcome. One of our volunteers will also update any news of interest to the community.

The next meeting of the Board will take place Monday, September 11 at the Georgina Thomson  building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive NW at 6:30PM. This will be the first meeting for the Fall and important for the development of Fall and Winter programs into 2018. All residents are welcome to attend and share any concerns, questions or ideas you may have relevant to Cambrian Heights.

Remember Participation Builds Better Communities.

On Behalf of the Board;

Daryl Connolly, President