President’s Message – June 2020

On March 15, in reaction to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the City of Calgary ordered the closing of all community and recreational buildings. This shut down all programs and services at our community hall. This has resulted in the deferrals of many scheduled events, third party rentals, our programs and the Edelweiss Preparatory School. At the writing of this letter, we are still unsure of when this closure order will be rescinded. We trust Cambrian Heights residents will appreciate the new challenges facing our volunteers. Any updates will be published on our website (cambrianheightscommunity.com), through email blasts to those registered through our website and on our Facebook page.

I am sure everyone recognizes the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and respects the Provincial guidelines with regard to social distancing and hygiene. We wish everyone in our community good health and encourage patience as we together work through a devastating period both emotionally and for many of us financially. Hopefully, at the publication of this newsletter, we will be progressing out of this health crisis.

Our Annual General Meeting was scheduled to be held on June 25. We elect the Board of Directors at our AGM for a one year term and review the financial status and planned programs for the Community over the active year. However, due to the COVID-19 virus and the resultant uncertainty as to when the City Community Halls will reopen and the limit on assemblies of people, the AGM has been postponed to October 22. Please check the September Newsletter or our website for details of the meeting agenda and Director nominations.

We encourage new participation at the Board level to maintain the programs, events, ideas and fiscal strength of our community. In particular, we are especially looking for residents with a financial background to either assume or help in the Treasurer role. Please contact the President at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com if you are interested in participating at any capacity in the Community or at a Board level.

We have held an Asado BBQ in September for the last two years. We would like to continue this very successful event which not only features fine food and beverage but aspiring musicians from Cambrian Heights and the nearby communities. What we need are volunteers interested in getting involved with this event. We anticipate changes in the format and will welcome suggestions. Please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com to participate in the planning or running of this event.

Our weekly drop-in yoga program and our general fitness programs (Body-Lift, Kettlebell Kick-boxing, New Cardio-Barre Fusion and New Barre Above) were forced to adjust in regards to their physical presence at the Community Hall with the City mandated closures. However, both Lorene Hughes – fitness (scarybunnybefit@gmail.com) and Kyrsten Blair – yoga (kyrstenblair@icloud.com) have moved these programs online. Please contact them if you would like to participate from home or to get updates as to when the programs will be allowed to return to the Community Hall.

We are planning to start a new program in September at the Community Hall – language lessons. We are starting with Spanish and this is an entry-level course. It will run for 12 weeks starting September 15. It will be provided through Azren the Language Nerd staff. Attendance will be limited to eight participants this first time to keep an intimate and active experience. Please watch for registration details in the July Newsletter or on our website. We hope this will be the first of many such language course curriculums.

The Planning Committee remains active reviewing and commenting on the City published Guide-book for Calgary Communities available at www.calgary.ca or on our Community webpage. We encourage everyone to read this document. We recognize the City’s focus on the densification of the inner city communities is driven by the cost of providing municipal services and funding issues associated with unlimited urban sprawl. However, the guidelines proposed will allow previously single-family zoned areas, such as much of Cambrian Heights, to be developed with duplexes, four-plexes, row housing and taller homes mixed with commercial enterprises. We have combined with neighbouring communities to comment and recommend further public consultations. Updates on this issue will be provided in future Newsletters as well as on our website (www.cambrianheightscommunity.com).

As a reminder, due to COVID-19 concerns, the City has cancelled all Community Cleanups for 2020.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for September 14. These meetings normally take place at the Georgina Thomson City building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive at 6:30 PM. Over the past three months, these meetings have been either cancelled, held utilizing remote technology or in the larger space provided at the Community Hall. Watch for updates on this meeting over the summer.

Remember Participation Builds Your Community’s Value.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Upcoming Events at Cambrian Heights Hall