December finds us still awaiting restrictions to be lifted for the COVID pandemic that has effectively shut down community hall events. In November both the Fitness and Yoga programs were returned to online participation only. We are hoping that the beginning of 2022 brings higher levels of vaccinations, including children, that will permit a return to social, health and educational programs to our community. In anticipation of this renewed activity, Cambrian Heights needs volunteers to plan new social events and enhance our communications thereby growing the involvement of residents with the community facilities. Please reference the poster in the December newsletter issue looking for help in communications (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) as well as a social planner.

We at Cambrian Heights and all those in Ward 4 are now living with the controversy surrounding Councillor Sean Chu, his election, the events surrounding his conduct in 1997 and the Mayor, our Premier and fellow Councillors’ request that he resign his position on Council. He has chosen not to follow this request and remains our representative with the City administration. He has been stripped of committee posts in Council and will be operating within a non-supportive environment. We await further developments while maintaining open communication with the communities in Ward 4 and Councillor Chu’s office.

On the lighter side, as a result of our free pumpkin giveaway for residents of the Community in October, I wanted to give recognition to a resident on my street that created these pumpkin faces for Halloween. If you have any other such examples of creative artistry at any time please feel free to send them to us (cambrianheights@gmail.com) for publication on our website.

The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership in conjunction with the University of Calgary have finished creating a “rain garden” and sophisticated monitoring system to study plants that will flourish in southern Alberta under natural watering conditions. A picture of the garden behind our hall is shown. This will be the subject of a live seminar next spring for all residents. Stay tuned to the website for details.

By December our two outdoor ice skating rinks will be available for use. Should you wish to help out Scott and his rink team this year please contact Scott at scott-andrew-jacobson@hotmail.com to offer your volunteer service.

We as the Board of Directors for Cambrian Heights wish to send our Christmas and Holiday messages of health, welfare and happiness to everyone and to wish all the best of life experiences in 2022.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Due to the rise in COVID cases the province of Alberta once again changed course with the announcement introducing new AHS regulations that impacted the indoor renting of our hall facilities for social events. These had the effect of placing liability with the community association for the adherence to masking, vaccination and social distances. As such the hall will suspend rentals for social events for as long as these regulations are in place. This includes moving our fall wine tasting into the spring of 2022.

We did however sponsor, as was the case last year, a free pumpkin giveaway for residents of the Community. This took place on Saturday, October 9 between 10 AM and 2 PM and was a great success. We thank both Barb Milne and Christine Breed for their efforts in making this popular event a success.

Equally successful was the free outdoor concert held on September 18 on a sunny fall afternoon. Over 95 residents attended this event and plans are already underway to repeat this event in the summer of 2022. We thank the Gunn Blues Band for their participation.

As a reminder, the Board of Directors has decided to award all those who paid for a membership in 2021 a free membership for 2022. This Is in recognition of the facility shut down and suspensions of most programs and activities at the Hall this year and last due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership has finished creating a “rain garden” beside the Community Hall, demonstrating plants that will flourish in southern Alberta under natural watering conditions. This will be the subject of a live seminar next spring for all residents. Stay tuned to the website for details.

We remind residents that a new Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw will go into effect on January 1, 2022. This addresses “effective compliance and education in response to new trends in animal care and ownership”. It also addresses aggressive and noise issues relating to dogs. A full review of these new policies may be obtained on the calgary.ca website.

Depending on weather our two outdoor ice skating rinks will be taking shape as winter progresses. Should you wish to help out Scott and his team this year please contact them (scottcolleenj@gmail.com) to offer your volunteer services. This effort is rewarded by the extensive use made of these rinks by our residents, young and old, over the winter months.

We continue to highlight the design and work being undertaken towards improving the Off-Leash Park as described in the “digital brochure” accessible through the Cambrian Heights website. As previously reported we have established a partnership with the Parks Foundation Calgary (“PFC”) to allow tax receipts to be issued for any donations made directly to the PFC for the enhancement of this park. Details of how such a contribution may be accomplished online will be published soon.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Due to the rise in COVID cases the province of Alberta changed course with the announcement reinstating mask requirements in all public indoor places effective September 4. Only time will tell for how long this measure will be in place or what new measures may be introduced. This of course impacts social and recreational gatherings in our community hall. Your community association will continue to sanitize and follow all Alberta health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants.

We will be accepting rental inquiries and reservations at CHCA_Hall@telus.net,, or at 403-284-1175. Our in-house Fitness and Yoga programs have been allowed to return to the hall but will follow mask and social distancing rules and sanitize after each use. Future social events planned for this fall, such as our Halloween Dance and Wine Tasting Event have been put on hold.

We will however be sponsoring, as we did last year, a free pumpkin for residents of the Community. As indicated in the poster in this issue, Saturday, October 9 will be pickup day. This will take place behind the community hall and will run from 10 AM to 2 PM.

As a reminder, the Board of Directors has decided to award all those who paid for a membership in 2021 a free membership for 2022. This Is in recognition of the facility shut down and suspensions of most programs and activities at the Hall this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This summer we replaced the roof at the hall building due to a series of leaks that occurred in 2020 and early 2021. The City through its Capital Conservation Program provided 75% of the funding and we applied to the province for support on the remaining 25% of the costs through their Community Facility Enhancement Program ( “CFEP”). We have now received approval from the provincial government and wish to thank both the City of Calgary and the Alberta Government for this financial support.

The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is creating a “rain garden” beside the Community Hall, demonstrating plants that will flourish in southern Alberta under natural watering conditions. This program is designed to showcase plant species that will thrive under stormwater management. Work is almost complete at the writing of this report. A ground watering sophisticated monitoring system has been put in place for research purposes. We wish to thank the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership for their sponsorship of this garden area. For more information on this program please access their website (www.alidp.org). I have attached a picture for reference and invite everyone to check it out when complete. We will be announcing public educational seminars detailing this planting design in the spring of 2022.

In terms of funding the activities of the Community Association, proceeds from our Casino event every two years is critical to the running of the community hall and its programs and events. We wish to thank Isabel Boisvert and her volunteers for the successful management of this Casino on September 8 and 9.

We continue to highlight the design and work being undertaken towards improving the Off Leash Park as described in the “digital brochure” accessible through the Cambrian Heights website. As previously reported we have established a partnership with the Parks Foundation Calgary (“PFC”) to allow tax receipts to be issued for any donations made directly to the PFC for the enhancement of this park. More information and how to donate funds for this development may be found on our website and digital brochure.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

As of August 16, the province of Alberta will be removing all masking, testing and quarantine requirements. Time will tell whether this return to voluntary health guidelines will, with vaccinations, provide a long term and safe return to normal activities. Your community association will continue with efforts to sanitize and follow general health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants as we return to normal social activities in our hall. We are accepting all rental inquiries and reservations at CHCA_Hall@telus.net, or at 403-284-1175. Normal activities in the Community Hall have resumed starting with both our in house Fitness and Yoga programs. Please reference the informational posters in this issue for details towards attending these programs sponsored by the community association. Future social events will include a Halloween Party in October and a Wine Tasting Event in November with a southern France theme.

Also on Saturday afternoon September 18 we are holding a free outdoor concert featuring the Gunn Blues Band (www.gunnbluesband.com). This will be a bring your own chair or blanket concert with food truck service from 1:00PM to 3:00PM. The concert will take place rain or shine with the band playing play for approximately 1.25 hours. The outdoor venue will be located at the back of the community hall. This will also be a chance to meet the Board members and bring items of concern or activity suggestions to their attention.

The Board of Directors has decided to award all those who paid for a membership in 2021 a free membership for 2022. This is in recognition of the facility shutdown and suspensions of most programs and activities at the Hall this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With financial assistance provided by the city through its Capital Conservation Grant (“CCG”) program, the community association has replaced the roof at the hall building due to a series of leaks that occurred in 2020 and early 2021. This city program provides 75% of the funding and we have applied to the province for support on the remaining 25% of the costs through their Community Facility Enhancement Program ( “CFEP”). At the writing of this report, we have not heard if this application has been approved. While the UCP government has announced funding cuts to this program, we continue to actively lobby, along with the Federation of Calgary Communities, to retain funding for this valuable social program on behalf of all Calgary Community Associations.

In terms of funding the activities of the Community Association, proceeds from our Casino’s every two years are critical. This year we have been assigned September 8 and 9th at the Pure Casino Calgary. This effort is being organized by Isabel Boisvert and volunteers are required. Should you be able to help please contact Isabel at isabel.a.boisvert@gmail.com, for more information.

The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is creating a “rain garden” beside the Community Hall, demonstrating plants that will flourish in southern Alberta under natural watering conditions. This program is designed to showcase plant species that will thrive under storm water management. Work has begun at the writing of this report and hopefully by September it will be completed. For more information on this program please access their website (www.alidp.org). We are excited about this garden addition and will be providing updates and photos in our website and community social media platforms.

We continue to highlight the design and work being undertaken towards improving the Off Leash Park as described in this newsletter in the “digital brochure” accessible through the Cambrian Heights website. 49 new trees have been planted by Calgary Parks at locations selected by the volunteer committee. We have established a partnership with the Parks Foundation Calgary (“PFC”) to allow tax receipts to be issued for any donations made directly to the PFC for the enhancement of this park. More information may be found on our website and digital brochure.

We continue to remind residents of the new 40 kph speed limits on our residential streets. There continues to be some confusion where speed limits change from 50 kph to 40 kph without warning. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limits on our residential streets is 40 kph.

Welcome Back to the Community Hall & Events
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA