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

October brings the chill of fall and the bright colours with the potential of a blanket of white. The outdoor Rink Rates will be planning for another great skating season and this year we will introduce a fire pit at the rinks behind the hall on a trial basis. Details will be provided on our website as the ice rinks are flooded. 

September was highlighted by our outdoor concert featuring the southern Alberta Six Corners country band supported by a food truck and beer garden. This is the third such outdoor concert to start the fall/winter schedule of social programs. We hope to add an additional event before year end and kick off 2024 with another outdoor Polar Skating party in January. 

With the increase in construction and development permit applications, including the recent land use application change from R-C2 to the new R-CG designation we want to remind everyone that your comments to City Planning representatives as identified in any application is important. Equally are comments to your City Councillor Sean Chu (sean.chu@calgary.ca). While the Community attempts to comment on these applications, particularly in the areas of parking, setback and mixed zoning use, your direct participation where you live in close proximity, are taken into account by the City planners.  At this point there is a resolution before City Council that will eliminate all R-C1 zoning (single family detached) in favour of re-zoning to R-CG for all residential areas, enabling 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. If you have questions on developments or the process please reference the City website at calgary.ca or contact our Planning Committee at planning@cambrianheightscommunity.com .

We encourage everyone to participate in our Fitness (Monday) and Yoga (Wednesday) programs. Details are available in the Newsletter. New this year are the twice a week (Tuesday/Thursday) Scottish Country Dancing lessons and evening socials. Enjoy the music, camaraderie and exercise afforded by qualified instructors and Scottish music. Details are found on the website and in this newsletter. 

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. This fall we will initiate 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

President’s Message – September 2023

With the advent of September we witness the colour change and cooler temperatures. Hopefully the summer weather we have enjoyed will continue and everyone will enjoy Confederation Park, Nose Hill Park and our own Off Lease Dog Park this fall.  By now the new trees in our Dog Park will have been planted and additional tree log landscaping and planting of wild flowers on the northern edge will have been completed. Unfortunately, some additional wild flower planting will be necessary resulting in the fencing staying in place until next year. Calgary Parks has also added three free compostable “poop” bag dispensers that I hope everyone is utilizing. These bags are compostable and are recommended by the City for use over the less expensive biodegradable types. 

I am sure everyone has noticed the construction activity within the community, particularly in the area around Confederation Park. Recently we have received our first land use application change, in this case from R-C2 to the new R-CG designation that if approved could allow up to 4 units being developed on a 50 foot frontage corner lot. This is the first of a trend that is well represented in the neighbouring Mount Pleasant community.  If you have comments on such developments please contact our Planning Committee at planning@cambrianheightscommunity.com .

In September CHCA will restart the Fitness (Monday) and Yoga (Wednesday) programs. Details are available in the Newsletter or our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com). The Community Hall will also see twice a week (Tuesday/Thursday) Scottish Country Dancing lessons and evening socials. Enjoy the music, camaraderie and exercise afforded by qualified instructors and Scottish music. Again details may be found on the website. We hope to have a family concert event outdoors in mid September but we have no firm plans at the writing of this report. Watch the website or Hall signage. 

The previously reported garden project at the park space bordering Cambrian and Northmount Drives has progressed thanks to a group of resident volunteers. This fall we will develop cost estimates to design and install signage to identify an entrance to our community at this location. If you wish to get involved with this project please let us know by emailing us at cambrianheights@gmail.com . 

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 currently have only 5 volunteer Directors which restricts our ability to plan events or 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 these two volunteer opportunities or others please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com .

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA