President’s Message – April 2024
We held our second Celtic (Ceilidh) social and dance evening was held March 9 with over 65 participants enjoying the Mercat Cross band and Leslie Gotfrit as the dance caller. It was a lively affair enjoyed by all. In addition a Volunteer Appreciation night is planned for April 12 at Moose McGuires. As well as giving thanks to volunteers for their efforts over the last 12 months, we also encourage residents to attend who may wish to explore volunteering in the future in support of our community events. Details are available on our website and Facebook page. Beyond that we have plans to host our third annual Bicycle Day in May and have applied to the City with Rosemont for a Community Cleanup date in May or June. Our AGM is scheduled for June 18 so save the date.
While we have no community wide plans for Calgary Neighbour Day on June 15 this year, we do encourage block parties within the community by providing a $100 fund to defer the costs of organizing and running such an event. Simply email cambrianheights@gmail.com for details.
This summer the hall grounds will welcome for the third year the Die Volksmesse car show on July 13. The Hall also welcomes back for its third year the Between Friends summer camp. They plan to hold an open house for parents at the Hall June 27 for those who might be interested in enrolling their children this summer. See betweenfriends.ab.ca for details.
It is never too early to consider joining the garden group on the Hall grounds. We have plots available this summer for residents who are interested in growing their own vegetables. If you are interested please contact us for more information.
In our February issue we outlined a proposal to place a community identification sign in the park that is bounded by Cambrian and Northmount Drives. We are currently in the process of identifying a theme and ultimately some designs to consider. The Board feels that our community identifies as a mid century modern inner City housing design with its park space and proximity to Confederation and Nose Hill Parks being our main attributes. If you have some theme related or design thoughts feel free to comment through email or phone call to any Board member.
With anticipated changes this year to zoning bylaws by City Council establishing a City wide RC-G designation, we will witness more multi family housing construction in the future with the corresponding issues of increased density and street parking. This densification will be impacted by the removal of all parking restrictions on new developments and the permitting of both secondary suites and back yard suites on a single parcel of land. This program promises an easing to the housing crisis over time supported by a promise of Federal funding. We encourage individuals to follow developments on the City website (calgary.ca) as these bylaw amendments are promoted. A recent development by 5 City Councillors is a motion calling for a plebiscite on this issue of blanket re-zoning. The last chance to file comments on this issue will be a public hearing with City Council April 22. Cambrian Heights has joined a number of Calgary communities in submitting a letter outlining our opposition to the blanket re-zoning.
The Community continues to need resident participation at the Board level. The Treasurer and Social Media director positions remain our most urgent need. Involvement as a Board member offers an opportunity to help develop the programs, events and residential planning for Cambrian Heights. Help us improve our community resources by volunteering. To discuss any opportunities to participate please contact us at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com .
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA
