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

On July 1 the province moved to Stage 3 of their pandemic re-opening and effectively removed restrictions on community hall activities. Efforts will remain to sanitize and follow health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants as we return to normal social activities.  Updates will continue to be provided on our website. We are accepting fall rental inquiries and reservations at http://www.CHCA_Hall@telus.net, or at 403-284-1175. We are planning to return to normal activities in the Community hall by September 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.

The city has provided financial assistance through its Capital Conservation Grant (“CCG”) program. The community association is replacing the roofing material 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”). While the UCP government has announced funding cuts to this program, we along with the Federation of Calgary Communities, have actively lobbied to retain funding for this valuable social program on behalf of Calgary community associations. This work is scheduled for completion in July.

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 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 mid-summer 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. Comments on the design may continue to be provided through that website. Work has commenced and some with 49 new trees planted by Calgary Parks at locations selected by the volunteer committee and illustrated in the design layout. We have established a partnership with the Parks Foundation Calgary to allow tax receipts to be issued for any donations to this program. We are establishing volunteer groups to address the priorities established through our recent public consultation. If you wish to get involved or perhaps consider a donation (bench, tables, etc.) please contact us through email.

We are celebrating return to normal community activities in September with an outdoor live music concert and food trucks. This will allow residents to once again gather and socialize with their neighbors in a safe environment. Like always, volunteers interested in community involvement are encouraged to come forward to assist in the planning and organization of this event and other programs for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. If you are able to help out in any way please contact us through email or phone.

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. Two examples of this is where 10th Street turns north up the hill towards Queen’s park Cemetery and 40th Avenue as it crosses Northmount Drive. Unless posted otherwise, the speed limits on our residential streets is 40 kph.

Stay Safe and Active,

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

At the writing of this report, the province is moving into Stage 2 of its reopening plan. While this allows some improvements to indoor activities it still restricts indoor social and group exercise programs. The province has set a target for moving to Stage-3, the removal of nearly all pandemic-related restrictions, to late June or early July. We will continue to monitor the health protocols and our ability to open the hall for our programs and rentals.  Updates will be provided on the website. We are accepting summer and fall rental inquiries and reservations, subject to COVID protocols, at CHCA_Hall@telus.net, or at 403-284-1175. We are anticipating a return to normal activities in the Community Hall by September. 

Another successful Cleanup was held on May 30 made possible by Bent Nielsen and his group of volunteers from both Cambrian Heights and Rosemont communities. This is the fifth year such a program has been undertaken except for the 2020 year where the City, due to the pandemic, cancelled all such programs.

The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is planning to create a “rain garden” beside the Community Hall, demonstrating plants that will flourish in southern Alberta under natural conditions. This program is designed to showcase plant species that will thrive under stormwater management. For more information, please access their website (www.alidp.org). We are excited about this garden addition and will be providing updates through 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 and on the “digital brochure” accessible through the Cambrian Heights website. Comments on the design may continue to be provided through that website. Work has commenced and some 49 new trees planted by Calgary Parks at locations selected by the volunteer committee and illustrated in the design layout. We hope to be able to start the fundraising for other additions as the province moves to remove all pandemic-related gathering restrictions.

To celebrate a return to normal community activities we are discussing a September afternoon gathering with live music, non-alcoholic drinks and food. This will allow all community residents to gather at the hall and grounds to provide their input into promoting social and educational activities for the remainder of 2021 and into 2022. Like always, volunteers interested in community involvement are encouraged to come forward to assist in the planning and organization of this event and new programs for the future. If you are able to help out in any way please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com . 

From your Community Association Board, we wish everyone a happy and safe summer as we gradually return to normal after the challenges of the last 18 months. 

Stay Safe and Active,
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

We continue to monitor the health protocols and our ability to open the hall for our programs and rentals. Updates will be provided on our website. We are accepting summer or fall rental inquiries and reservations, subject to COVID protocols, at CHCA_Hall@telus.net, or at 403-284-1175.

Our weekly yoga and fitness programs will be continuing on-line until the end of June. We hope to resume these programs at the Community Hall in September. Please consult the website for updates.

The Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is planning to create a “rain garden” beside the Community Hall, demonstrating plants that will flourish in southern Alberta under natural conditions. This program is designed to showcase plant species that will thrive under storm water management. For more information, please access their website. We are excited about this garden addition and will be providing updates through our website and community social media platforms.

Our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for June 15 via Zoom. Included in the Newsletter is the notice and agenda for this meeting outlining the presentations and discussion items. Also shown are residents standing for first time or re-election to the Board of Directors. Residents considering involvement with the Association in any capacity should contact the undersigned or any existing director. We will be inviting our MLA, Jeremy Nixon, and our Ward 4 Councillor, Sean Chu, to review provincial and city issues relevant to community members.

Stay Safe and Active,
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

COVID-19 cases, as of the writing of this note, have been rising with the variant strains increasing dramatically causing hospitalizations. As a result, the province on April 7 tightened lockdown measures restricting all indoor social gatherings and that effectively eliminates normal usage of the Community Hall. We continue to monitor these developments and will remain focused on health and safety due to the children’s preparatory school’s usage of these facilities during the weekdays. Updates will be provided on our website. We are accepting summer or fall rental inquiries and reservations, subject to COVID protocols, at CHCA_Hall@telus.net or at 403-284-1175.

Our weekly yoga and our fitness programs continue to be offered online. Both Lorene Hughes (fitness, scarybunnybefit@gmail.com) and Kyrsten Blair (yoga, kyrstenblair@icloud.com) will operate these programs. Please consult the advertisement posters in this issue or our website for further details. We hope to resume these programs at the Community Hall in September.

McKnight Soccer is planning to run their programs for boys and girls ages 3-13 using the Cambrian Heights playing fields from April 27 to June 24. Further information is available on their website.

Our Parks Committee continues to develop ideas to enhance the inclusivity, enjoyment and social gathering aspects of the Cambrian Heights Off-Leash Park. This issue contains a conceptual diagram of the development envisioned. We want to hear from residents in establishing priorities for this multi-year program. Your involvement is vital as the realization of these improvements will depend upon donations and volunteers. Please review the poster in the Newsletter for more details on how you may contribute our ideas and participate to ensure the best possible development of this recreational space.

On another park like issue, the Alberta Low Impact Development Partnership is planning this spring to create a “rain garden” beside the Community Hall, demonstrating plants that will flourish in southern Alberta under natural conditions. This program is designed to showcase plant species that will thrive under stormwater management. For more information, please access their website. We are excited about this garden addition and will be providing updates through our website and community social media platforms.

I want to remind everyone that a Block Party subsidy of $100 is available to support such events in the community. This hopefully will provide stimulus for these valuable outdoor social gatherings as we come out of public gathering restrictions. Applications may be made to cambrianheights@gmail.com .

The next meetings of the Board are scheduled for May 3 and June 7. With the pandemic protocols we have been holding these meetings online. If you wish to bring some issue forward to the Board, please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com in advance of any meeting. We may then make arrangements for you to attend in person or through video conferencing.

We have scheduled our Annual General Meeting for June 15 in anticipation of such gatherings being permitted by provincial government health regulations. Included in the Newsletter is the notice and agenda for this meeting outlining the presentations and discussion items. Also shown are residents standing for first time or re-election to the Board of Directors. Residents considering involvement with the Association in any capacity should contact the undersigned or any existing director. At this point we are unsure of the COVID-19 protocols that may be in place, so we encourage everyone to monitor developments on our website. We will be inviting our MLA, Jeremy Nixon, and our Ward 4 Councillor, Sean Chu, to review provincial and city issues relevant to community members.

Stay Safe But Remain Active.
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

COVID-19 cases have been lowering and vaccination programs have advanced, such that on March 8 the Province announced an easing on COVID-19 restrictions, including the opening of all Calgary’s community halls.  Continuing capacity restrictions will continue to preclude event size consistent with the type of events generally hosted at our community hall. The earliest the next round of possible easing of COVID protocols is scheduled for March 22.  We will be monitoring this progress but will remain focused on health safety first due to the children’s preparatory school usage of these facilities during the weekdays. Updates will be provided on our website. We are however accepting limited rental inquiries and reservations, subject to COVID protocols, at CHCA_Hall@telus.net or at 403-284-1175.

The end of March generally brings an end to the outdoor ice due to daytime temperatures. We sincerely thank Scott Jacobson and his crew of rink rats for their volunteer efforts this winter which was greatly appreciated and invaluable during this pandemic. A generally mild winter allowed both our ice sheets to be well enjoyed and helped provide valuable recreational opportunity for our residents and children during a difficult period. We will continue to maintain these ice rinks as long as possible.

Our weekly Yoga Program and our Fitness Programs will continue to be offered online.  Both Lorene Hughes – Fitness (scarybunnybefit@gmail.com) and Kyrsten Blair – Yoga (kyrstenblair@icloud.com) will operate these programs. Please consult the advertisement posters in this issue or our website for further details. We plan to have these programs return to the Community Hall in September.

We are continuing to develop our Parks Committee plans to design and fundraise to enhance the inclusivity, enjoyment and social gathering aspects of the Cambrian Heights Off Leash Park. Published in this issue is the conceptual diagram of the development envisioned for this Park included in the March community newsletter. This design concept will be finalized after consultations with residents from both Cambrian Heights and Rosemont communities. Several Mount Royal University students continue to coordinate this consultation process as we look to engage and encourage residents in both communities to get involved in this multi year project. Please see the Cambrian Heights Off Leash Park announcement in this newsletter for more details on how you may input your ideas, participation or donations to achieve the best possible development of this recreational park space.

I want to remind everyone that a Block Party subsidy of $100 is available to support such events in the community. This hopefully will provide stimulus for these valuable social gatherings as we come out of outdoor public gathering restrictions. Applications may be made to cambrianheights@gmail.com.

The next meetings of the Board are scheduled for April 5  and May 3.  With the pandemic protocols we have been holding these meetings online. If you wish to bring some issue forward to the Board please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com in advance of any meeting. We may then make arrangements for you to attend in person or through video conferencing if necessary.

We have scheduled our Annual General Meeting for June 15 in anticipation of such gatherings being permitted by provincial government health regulations.

Stay Safe But Remain Active.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

At the writing of this message the Provincial government as of February 8 started to ease COVID-19 restrictions on a gradual basis with targeted hospitalization numbers. Restrictions are scheduled to be eased for Community Hall activities in Step-2, when COVID hospitalizations are sustained below 450 in Alberta. This will be no sooner than March 1. Step 3 proposes to ease restrictions on social gatherings when we sustain less than 300 hospitalizations, but again no sooner than March 22. The last phase, Step 4 occurs at less than 150 hospitalizations with a currently scheduled earliest date of April 12. At all stages we still anticipate some restrictions due to the slower than anticipated rollout of vaccinations across Canada. Based upon all these uncertainties we continue to remain in a hold pattern for social events until full clarity and protocols are published and understood.

We sympathize with the local businesses that had to shut down or restrict service during these pandemic times. We, like all communities in Calgary, value the contribution of such businesses to the well being of our neighborhoods and encourage support of these stores and facilities once restrictions are removed. We also continue to recognize the sacrifices of our health care workers and those continuing to provide essential services throughout this crisis.

At Cambrian Heights we will continue, subject to weather, to maintain our two ice rinks to support outdoor activity. We also encourage residents to utilize Confederation Park for sliding and walking during this winter season. If you are not aware, Nordic skiing is available at Confederation Golf Course thanks to volunteers from various organizations grooming trails. Nordic trails are also available at Bowness Park, Shaganappi Golf course and South Glenmore Park. As well we are fortunate to have Nose Hill Park for snow shoeing after fresh snow falls and walks on warmer winter days.

Our weekly Yoga Program and our Fitness Programs will continue to be offered online.  Both Lorene Hughes – Fitness (scarybunnybefit@gmail.com) and Kyrsten Blair – Yoga (kyrstenblair@icloud.com) will operate these programs, gaining from their experiences since COVID-19 forced this change in March. Please consult the advertisement posters in this issue or our website for further details. At this point it is unlikely these programs will return to the Community Hall before September.

In the past community newsletter issues we have reported on the efforts of the Parks Committee to advance the planning and fundraising to improve the Cambrian Heights Dog Park located at 10th Street and 32 Avenue next to Queen’s Park Cemetery. Published in this issue is a preliminary diagram of the development envisioned for the Dog Park. This concept was developed during 2020 by volunteer committee residents  from both Cambrian Heights and Rosemont communities. A team of Mount Royal students have joined us as we look to engage and encourage residents in both communities to get involved in this multi year project. Please see the Cambrian Heights Dog Park announcement in this newsletter for more details.

I want to remind everyone that we continue to support an award winning Edelweiss Preparatory School for Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students at the Community Hall. The Edelweiss School has served this Community for well over 30 years since its inception in 1988. Obviously parents concerns with COVID-19 has substantially reduced enrollment. However, Edelweiss re-opened in September 2020 with strict health safety protocols in place. We reference you to their website at epschool.ca to check on the program so many of us as parents have experienced. They are currently taking registrations for September 2021.

The next meetings of the Board are scheduled for March 1 and April 5 .  With the Hall closure mandate these meetings are being conducted online. If you wish to bring some issue forward to the Board please contact me in advance of any meeting. We can then make arrangements for you to attend  through video conferencing if necessary.

We have scheduled our Annual general Meeting for June 15 in anticipation of such gatherings being permitted by Provincial government health regulations.

Stay Safe But Remain Active.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

At the writing of this message, the Provincial government has extended social restrictive measures in an attempt to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This announcement continues the closure of the Community Hall until at least January 21. We sympathize with the local businesses that had to shut down or restrict service during these pandemic times. Like all communities in Calgary, we value such businesses’ contribution to the well being of our neighbourhoods and encourage support of these stores and facilities once restrictions are removed. We also continue to recognize our health care workers’ sacrifices and those continuing to provide essential services throughout this crisis.

At Cambrian Heights, we will continue to provide our two ice rinks to support outdoor activity. If you are available to help out with the rink’s maintenance, please contact the team headed by Scott at scottcolleenj@gmail.com to offer some hours of worthwhile effort for the kids. We also encourage residents to utilize Confederation Park for sliding and walking during this winter season. If you are not aware, Nordic skiing is available at Confederation Golf Course, thanks to volunteers from various organizations grooming trails. Nordic trails are also available at Bowness Park, Shaganappi Golf course and South Glenmore Park. We are also fortunate to have Nose Hill Park for snowshoeing after fresh snowfalls and walks on warmer winter days.

We will continue to explore options for online programs focusing on informational and social activities. In this regard, we organized a Mealtime Cooking demonstration online for January 28 and have scheduled a three-part Community Waste Exploration for February 10, 17 and 24th. Details of this may be found in a poster within the Newsletter. If you have ideas for additional online activities, please feel free to contact us at CHCA_hall@telus.net.

While the COVID -19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of social events, our weekly drop-in Yoga Program and our general Fitness Programs will continue to be offered online into 2021. Both Lorene Hughes – Fitness (scarybunnybefit@gmail.com) and Kyrsten Blair – Yoga (kyrstenblair@icloud.com) will operate these programs, gaining from their experience when COVID-19 forced this change in March. Please consult the advertisement posters on this site for further details. A review will be made in the first quarter of 2021 towards returning to Community Hall sessions starting in April.

The Community Association continues to look for residents interested in volunteering to help develop programs and activities for adults and children living in Cambrian Heights. Of particular interest to many residents is the amount of development activity occurring within Cambrian Heights. There are also ongoing changes to regulation guidelines being proposed by City officials to encourage such development. Joining the Planning Committee for your Community will open up opportunities to impact such developmental changes on the ground floor. To get involved or for more information, please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com.

The Planning Committee continues to work on both near term responses to Development Permits and the longer-term issue involving such City projects as the Green Line LRT and the changes coming in development planning detailed in the updated Guidebook for Great Communities available on the City website (www.calgary.ca). As a recent City of Calgary initiative, we remind everyone that concerned residents may now view online proposed development permits after completing a Viewing Authorization form. Simply email PropertyResearch@calgary.ca to start the process. Previously, a resident had to view the downtown Municipal Building plans or by contacting the Community Association. Cambrian Heights will reference residents wishing henceforth to view such plans for this new online service.

A volunteer committee, made up of residents both in Cambrian Heights and Rosemont, is planning enhancements of the 32nd Avenue Dog Park space for residents and their dogs. We are currently working with Calgary Parks on this initiative, which has recently committed to planting some small trees in the space during 2021. We have also recently partnered with a Mount Royal student program to develop an effective resident communication platform and fundraising effort. You will hear more about that program in the near future. The Committee now expects to have a preliminary design concept and procedures for comments posted on a bulletin board at the 32nd Avenue Dog Park and on this site in February. It is imperative we have effective consultations before project initiation during the spring/summer of 2021. It is further expected that this will be a multi-year process as funds need to be raised for each stage of development. Critical to this process is that residents come forward and involve themselves with all design, fundraising, and implementation stages. It is hoped that this will be the first step in our program to enhance all the parks in the community to make them more useful as green spaces for community area residents. If you wish to be part of this process, working with other volunteers in a partnered effort, please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 1.  With the Hall closure mandate, these meetings are being conducted online. If you wish to bring some issue forward to the Board, please contact me in advance of any meeting. We can then make arrangements for you to attend through video conferencing if necessary.

Stay Healthy and Safe.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

At the writing of this message, the Provincial government has announced new restrictive measures to reduce social interactions in an attempt to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. While the Community Hall had been ordered to be closed in November, this announcement continues such closure into 2021. We sympathize with all the community residents, particularly our seniors, who had to forgo the traditional family gatherings that provide the true meaning of Christmas and the Holiday Season. We also sympathize with the local businesses that had to shut down or restrict entry at this critical time to their continued operations. We, like all communities in Calgary, value the contribution of such businesses to the well being of our neighbourhoods and encourage support of these stores and facilities.

At Cambrian Heights, we will continue to provide our two ice rinks to support outdoor activity. If you are available to help out with the maintenance of the rink please contact the team headed by Scott at scottcolleenj@gmail.com to offer some hours of worthwhile effort for the kids. We also encourage residents to utilize Confederation Park for sliding and walking during this winter season. If you are not aware, Nordic skiing is available at Confederation Golf Course thanks to volunteers from various organizations grooming trails. Nordic trails are also available at Bowness Park, Shaganappi Golf course and South Glenmore Park. As well we are fortunate to have Nose Hill Park for snowshoeing after fresh snowfalls or walks on warmer winter days.

The annual children’s Lego Contest was not held live this year for safety reasons. We did however sponsor an online virtual contest which was judged on November 21. Some pictures from that contest are shown here with the remainder being available on our website.

We will continue to explore options for online programs focusing on informational and social activities. If you have ideas in this regard please feel free to contact us at one of the email addresses provided in this Newsletter.

While the COVID -19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of social events our weekly drop-in Yoga Program and our general Fitness Programs will continue to be offered online into 2021. Both Lorene Hughes – Fitness (scarybunnybefit@gmail.com) and Kyrsten Blair – Yoga (kyrstenblair@icloud.com) will operate these programs, gaining from their experience when COVID-19 forced this change in March. Please consult the advertisement posters in this issue or our website for further details. A review will be made in the first quarter of 2021 towards returning to in Community Hall sessions starting in April.

Our first 12-week language class was concluded in December. It was a great success involving in-person classes until late November when it was switched to online due to Provincial orders to close Community Centres. We would like to hear your thoughts on conducting another such class in early 2021 focusing on Spanish, French, German or Mandarin. Class size is restricted to 6-8 to maintain maximum individual attention, with a cost of $120. If you are interested in either online or in-person lessons please let us know by emailing cambrianheights@gmail.com.

The Community Association continues to look for residents interested in volunteering to help develop programs and activities for adults and children living in Cambrian Heights. Currently, we are actively looking to recruit someone to replace our current Secretary later in 2021. This is an opportunity to join the Board of Directors and learn the job from the current Secretary and contribute to the successful running of the Cambrian Heights Community Association.  To get involved or for more information please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com.

The Planning Committee continues to work on both near term responses to Development Permits and the longer-term issue involving such City projects as the Green Line LRT and the changes coming in development planning detailed in the updated Guidebook for Great Communities available on the City website (www.calgary.ca) in late December. As a recent City of Calgary initiative, concerned residents can now view online proposed development permits after filling out a Viewing Authorization form. Simply email PropertyResearch@calgary.ca to start the process. Previously, a resident had to view the plans at the downtown Municipal Building or by contacting the Community Association. Residents wishing henceforth to view such plans will be referenced by Cambrian Heights to this new online service.

While interrupted with the pandemic early in 2020 a Committee, looking into enhancements of the 32nd Avenue Dog Park, has refocused and is exploring various designs and concepts to enhance the space for residents and their dogs. We are currently working with Calgary Parks in this initiative. We have also recently partnered with a Mount Royal student program to develop an effective resident communication platform and fundraising effort. The Committee, made up of resident volunteers from Cambrian Heights and Rosemont communities, expects to have a preliminary design concept for comments posted on a bulletin board at the 32nd Avenue Dog Park and on our website in late January or early February. It is imperative we have effective consultations before project initiation during the spring/summer of 2021. It is further expected that this will be a multi-year process as funds need to be raised for each stage of development. Critical to this process is that residents come forward and involve themselves with all stages of design, fundraising and implementation. It is hoped that this will be the first step in our program to enhance all the parks in the community to make them more useful as green spaces for community area residents. If you wish to be part of this process, working with other volunteers in a partnered effort, please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for January 4.  With the Hall closure mandate, these meetings are being conducted online. If you wish to bring some issue forward to the Board please contact me in advance of any meeting. We can then make arrangements for you to attend through video conferencing.

Stay Healthy, Safe and Best Wishes for You and Your Family in 2021.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA