With the Community Hall back to active usage we have been busy planning and developing programs and events. We have added music lessons once a week as an introductory course and are continuing with our Fitness and Yoga programs. We hosted our first-ever Bike Day on May 7 where volunteers serviced over 30 children’s bikes for free at the community hall grounds. Activities for the kids with their bikes also involved safety instructions and an agility course. We thank Spencer Cutten and other resident volunteers for this idea and their dedication towards servicing the bikes during the day.

At the writing of this report, we are excited for the return of our Wine Tasting Events at the scheduled May 28 tasting of southern France wines with Highlander Wine and Spirits providing the expert commentary. We hope you had an opportunity to attend and enjoy this event.

For the first time, Cambrian Heights Community Association will host a car show with the Die Volksmesse 2022 sponsored by Bugs, Bunnies, and Buses (bugsbunniesandbuses.com) on Saturday, July 16. Reference this poster and their website for more details.

Our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for June 28 at 7:00 in the Community Hall. We will be hosting this event with a social reception to follow our annual report and election of directors allowing everyone the opportunity to informally discuss issues important to our residents. We have invited both our MLA and Ward Councillor to attend the event. Put this on your calendar and contribute to the discussion that evening.

We are planning an afternoon family music and food event on Saturday, September 17 at which the Gunn Blues Band will be performing an outdoor music concert that was so well attended last year. We plan to have additional activities for the family as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages available. Consult our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com) for more details in the coming months and mark the date on your calendar.

Members of the Calgary Police Service in District 3 have created a Facebook and Twitter page to keep community residents connected by sharing positive stories and community concerns as well as crime trends that police are seeing arise in District 3. We encourage residents to follow this Facebook and Twitter page as another resource to receive information on types of crime within your community.

https://www.facebook.com/CalgaryPoliceDistrict3/
https://twitter.com/CPS_District3

With the pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in the usage of our park space in Cambrian Heights. We encourage residents to share their ideas to improve usability and help preserve the parks within our community. This is particularly important as developments that increase population density increase within the community.

We have all noticed an increase in development activity in Cambrian Heights. We encourage all owners planning a new build to reference our website for the document “Lessons Learned” and discuss design aspects with your neighbours or explore conversation with the Community Planning Committee to avoid conflicts in the development process. With the resignation of three of our Board members this year any-one interested in a role in the development of our community should consider joining our Planning Committee or perhaps the Board of Directors. It is a great way to help shape the nature of Cambrian Heights in the future as well as monthly social activities. To discuss either option please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com.

We request all residents of Cambrian Heights to provide feedback and ideas to us identifying the type of programs and activities you would like to see for our community. Your suggestions and potential voluntarism to enhance your community are always valued.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

With the Community Hall back to active usage, including our Fitness and Yoga programs, we are looking at initiating new programs whenever possible. In that process, we are hosting our first ever Bike Day on May 7 where volunteers will service children’s bikes for free at the community hall grounds. Activities for the kids with their bikes are also planned that day. See the poster in this newsletter issue as well as our website (cambrianheightscommunity.com) for full details. We are also testing the interest in music lessons with an information session being held on April 28 followed by a first group lesson on May 8. Details may be found on our website and the poster in this issue.

We are hosting the return of our Wine Events Saturday, May 28 at the Community Hall. This will be a tasting of southern France wines with Highlander Wine and Spirits providing the expert commentary. Ticket sales will be through our website. Please see the poster in this issue or access our website for details.

Unfortunately, we were unable to host a Community Cleanup this year but plan for its return next year. However, the community cleanups throughout Calgary are open to anyone and are free. While the 2022 schedule has not been published by the City at this point, we encourage checking the City website (calgary.ca) for the Cleanup schedule of neighbouring communities.

We have scheduled our Annual General Meeting for June 28 at 7:30 in the Community Hall. We will be hosting this event with a social reception to follow allowing everyone the opportunity to informally discuss issues important to our residents. Put this on your calendar and contribute to the discussion that evening. We hope to have representatives from our Councillor and MLA offices.

We are planning an afternoon family music and food event on Saturday, September 17 at which the Gunn Blues Band will be performing an outdoor music concert that was so well attended last year. We plan to have additional activities for the family as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages available. Consult our website for more details in the coming months.

With the pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in the usage of our park space in Cambrian Heights. We encourage residents with ideas that may be considered for these park spaces to improve usability and help preserve the parks within our community. This is particularly important as developments that increase population density continue to be promoted by the City.

As we approach summer we remind residents of the $100 Block party subsidy available through your Community Association. Bringing your neighbours together is a great way to promote the spirit of friendship and enjoy the warm weather with outdoor cooking, activities, and just social interaction. Explore this idea by emailing president@cambrianheightscommunity.com for more information.

We have all noticed an increase in home sales, renovations, and new builds over the last 12 months in Cambrian Heights. This trend is expected to accelerate during 2022. We encourage all owners planning a new build to reference our website for the document “Lessons Learned” and discuss design aspects with your neighbours or explore conversation with the Community Planning Committee to avoid conflicts in the development process. We also encourage anyone interested in playing a role in the development of our community to consider joining our Planning Committee. Please contact the undersigned for further information.

We continue to encourage all residents of Cambrian Heights to provide feedback and ideas to us identifying what type of programs and activities you would like to see for our community. We continue to need a Social Director to help develop and coordinate activities within our volunteer base. Please talk with any director or email cambrianheights@gmail.com for more insight into this valuable role. Your suggestions and potential voluntarism to enhance your community are always valued.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

As of March 1, the Community Hall is open for rentals, programs, and events. We of course will continue to monitor Provincial and City health guidelines should there be any future changes. We also will continue to sanitize after any programs, rentals, or events until we witness further declines in hospitalizations and the spread of any Covid variants.

As a result, our Yoga Program will return to the hall every Wednesday starting April 6 as will our Fitness program returning every Monday evening starting April 4. Details for attending both programs are found in this month’s newsletter or on our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com).

The Community Association is working on a number of events over 2022 as we emerge from the health restrictions initiated in March 2020. We are planning a southern France wine tasting evening on Saturday, May 28. A firm commitment to this event will be made in early April with tickets going on sale through our website. Details will be provided on the website, in the May newsletter as well as our Facebook page, and an email to those who have registered to receive community announcements. In addition, we have scheduled our Annual General Meeting for June 28 at the Community Hall. We hope to host this event with guests and a social reception to explore issues important to the residents of Cambrian Heights. Put this on your calendar and contribute to the discussion that evening.

This summer we will once again put on an outdoor concert on the community grounds. We are trying to organize this concert in association with a fall family community barbecue for the afternoon of September 17. For this event, we need volunteers to help plan and run the event and if you are available please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com to discuss your involvement. Events such as these need community participation to be truly successful.

With the pandemic, there has been a sharp increase in the number of pets in Cambrian Heights. We encourage all pet owners to pick up after their animals and to help preserve the parks within our community by disposing of refuse that was left behind as the snow melts and temperatures increase. This is particularly important in the school and playground recreational areas as well as our Off-Leash parks.

With the advent of Spring, we remind residents of the $100 Block party subsidy available through your Community Association. Bringing your neighbours together is a great way to promote the spirit of friendship and enjoy the warm weather with outdoor cooking, activities, and just social interaction. Explore this idea by emailing president@cambrianheightscommunity.com for more information.

We have all noticed an increase in home sales, renovations, and new builds over the last 12 months in Cambrian Heights. This trend is expected to accelerate during 2022. We encourage all owners planning a new build to reference our website for the document “Lessons Learned” and discuss design aspects with your neighbours or explore conversation with the Community Planning Committee to avoid conflicts in the development process.

We continue to encourage all residents of Cambrian Heights to consider involvement in your community association. We further encourage all in the community to provide feedback and ideas to us identifying what type of programs and activities you would like to see for our community. Your suggestions are always appreciated.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Activity at the Community Hall has been restricted by COVID health safety measures since March of 2020. At the writing of this report, there have been Provincial changes being announced that end the Restrictions Exemption Program but retains the Face Covering Bylaw. Further changes are proposed for March 1 and beyond subject to hospitalizations rates dropping. Issues may remain however with the City of Calgary’s response in regards to local regulations. We remain focused on promoting renewed activity at our hall and grounds while maintaining appropriate health safety standards. These will be guided by City of Calgary regulations as owners of the hall and grounds.

As outlined in our February report we are tentatively planning a southern France wine tasting evening on Saturday, May 28. We will of course be monitoring the public indoor gathering regulations against the social nature of this wine tasting and food service event. A firm commitment to this event will be made in early April with tickets going on sale through our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com). Details will be provided on this site as well as our Facebook page.

In addition, we have scheduled our Annual General Meeting for June 28 at the Community Hall. We again hope to host this event with guests and a social reception to explore issues important to the residents of Cambrian Heights. Put this on your calendar and contribute to the discussion that evening.

To reopen the Hall to activities after two years of shutdowns we need your help. Whether you have the time to assist in our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram programs, or to help organize social events please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com to discuss avenues to develop community involvement.

Our two outdoor ice rinks have provided an excellent social and physical activity outlet, particularly in these pandemic winters. By the publication of this issue these two rinks may be on their last legs as March 20th brings the first day of spring. We all extend our appreciation to Scott Jacobson and his team of volunteers for another excellent season.

We continue to support our online yoga program and hope to soon revert to pre-pandemic live classes at the hall as well as a restart of our fitness program. We remind residents with spring and then summer around the corner of the $100 Block party subsidy available through the Community. Bringing your neighbours together is a great way to promote the spirit of friendship. Feel free to explore this idea by emailing president@cambrianheightscommunity.com.

We have all noticed an increase in home sales, renovations, and new builds over the last 12 months in Cambrian Heights. We encourage all new owners to reference our website for the document “Lessons Learned” and discuss design aspects with your neighbours or explore conversation with the Community Planning Committee to avoid conflicts in the development process.

We continue to encourage all residents of Cambrian Heights to consider involvement in your community association. We further encourage all in the community to provide feedback and ideas at cambrianheights@gmail.com identifying what type of programs and activities you would like to see for our community. Whether you have the ability to volunteer or not your suggestions are always appreciated.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

While into the second month of a new year the news from your community association continues to be missing the past excitement of events and programs to announce. Instead, we have the highly contagious Omicron variant impacting our social gatherings and daily lives. Our online Fitness classes were suspended in January due to limited participation. Our Yoga classes however have continued, as detailed in the poster within this issue. The annual Polar Party was also canceled due to the inability to provide free skate rentals and volunteer organizations. We, as Directors of the Community Association, are focused on returning the level of programming experienced in pre-Covid years to our community hall. We are tentatively planning for the second quarter of this year a Wine Tasting event, an Open House promoting community participation with an update on our parks development ideas, and our Annual General Meeting in late June. Please watch our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com) for details.

Cambrian Heights will need participation from our residents to plan these social events while developing new educational programming such as language classes for all ages and improve on our communication systems with community residents. To help in this process we need someone to volunteer time to realize the potential of our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram programs. If you are able to volunteer some time to help please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com to discuss your potential involvement.

Our two outdoor ice rinks are available for skating thanks to Scott Jacobson and his team of volunteers. They have done a great service to the community with the two ice surfaces this year in extremely cold conditions. Extra hands are always needed so if you are able to help even for a few hours please contact Scott at scott-andrew-jacobson@hotmail.com.

We remind residents of the $100 Block party subsidy available through the Community. Whether winter or summer, bringing your neighbours together is a great way to promote the spirit of friendship that Calgary is famous for exhibiting. Feel free to explore this idea by contacting me by email or phone.

We continue to encourage all residents of Cambrian Heights to stay safe in 2022 and hope soon to be announcing programs and activities for our community as in pre-pandemic years. In the interim please enjoy our outdoor ice rinks and consider involvement in your community association. We further encourage all in the community to provide feedback and ideas at cambrianheights@gmail.com identifying what type of programs and activities you would like to see for our community. Whether you have the ability to volunteer or not your suggestions are always appreciated.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

January brings with it a new beginning and hope for 2022 signaling a year of recovery from COVID-19. We, as Directors of the Community Association, are focused on returning the level of programming experience in pre-Covid years to our community hall. Focus over the past two years has been on the maintenance of a healthy financial position and supporting our long-term Edelweiss Preparatory School as they maintain their programs in the face of decreased enrolment and higher costs due to the pandemic. The Board maintained a primary focus on health and safety by minimizing the use of the hall in the face of ever-changing provincial regulations. We now hope 2022 will witness a return to full use of the hall and outdoor facilities as we progress through this new year.

To make this happen Cambrian Heights will need participation from our residents to plan social events, develop new programming for all ages, and improve our communications with the community. To accomplish this we need someone to volunteer time to realize the potential of our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram programs. If you are able to volunteer some time to help in this process please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com. to discuss your involvement.

Our two outdoor ice rinks are available for skating thanks to Scott Jacobson and his team of volunteers. Should you wish to help out Scott this year please contact Scott at scott-andrew-jacobson@hotmail.com.

We continue to encourage all residents of Cambrian Heights to stay safe in 2022 and hope soon to be announcing programs and activities for our community as in pre-pandemic years. We further encourage all in the community to provide feedback at cambrianheights@gmail.com identifying what type of programs and activities you would like to see for our community. Whether you have the ability to volunteer or not your suggestions are always appreciated.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

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