President’s Message – May 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 will, of course, result in a loss of revenue through rentals during the as yet undetermined length of this shutdown. We have taken appropriate steps in terms of cost control while assuring ourselves of administrative continuity when the crisis clears. There will be an impact on previously scheduled events. The French Wine Tasting scheduled for May 9 has been moved to November 14. The Cambrian School Yard Sale April 25 has been cancelled. A new event, Girls Night Out, has been moved from June 13 to as yet an undetermined date in the Fall. Many of our committees will also experience a slowdown in activities through this period and will impact much of our directions in planning, safety and park developments. We trust Cambrian Heights residents will appreciate the new challenges facing our volunteers. Any updates will be published on our website, 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 is scheduled to be held on June 25. We elect the Board of Directors at our AGM for a one year term. However, due to the COVID-19 virus and the resultant uncertainty as to when the City Community Halls will reopen, it is likely that the AGM will be postponed to the Fall. Check the June Newsletter or our website for updates as to this possibility.

We encourage new participation at the Board level to maintain the programs, events, ideas and fiscal strength of our community. In particular, we are looking for residents with a financial background to either assume or help in the Treasurer role. Despite this potential delay, please do not hesitate to contact the President at president@cambrianheightscommunity.com if you are interested in participating at any capacity in the Community activities or at a Board level. It is especially important if you are able to help out in the Treasury role.

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 organizing this event. We anticipate changes in the format and will welcome suggestions. Please contact us at cambrianheights@gmail.com.

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.

The Planning Committee is currently very active in reviewing and commenting on the City published Guidebook for Calgary Communities available at www.calgary.ca or on our Community webpage. We encourage everyone to read this document as it is scheduled to be presented for review and approval to City Council April 27. 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 are combining with neighbouring communities to comment and recommend further public consultations. We submitted a letter to the City and all of Council recommending a postponement of the scheduled April 27 hearing on this issue. This letter was supported by other communities as well as a second letter requesting, as a result of the issues surrounding COVID-19, for a postponement of the public engagement deadline around the Municipal Development Plan and the Calgary Transportation Plan.

Cambrian Heights has maintained a Community Garden for a number of years. In the past, there has always been a waiting list for plots. This is no longer the case. If you are interested in utilizing one of these plots for a vegetable garden or have questions, please contact Christine Breed at garden@cambrianheightscommunity.com.

A recent decision by the City cancelled all Community Cleanups for 2020. We will update residents should this decision change.

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for May 4. Dependent on City directives, in regards to the COVIID-19 virus, this meeting may be held utilizing remote technology. For this meeting, we are further discouraging residents from attending. These meetings normally take place at the Georgina Thomson City building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive at 6:30 PM.

Remember Participation Builds Your Community’s Value.

Daryl Connolly, President CHCA

Upcoming Events at Cambrian Heights Hall