Many thanks to everyone who logged on to join our first virtual Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, November 17. It was a bit of an experiment, doing it on Zoom this time, but the comments received indicated that it seemed to go well. Personally, I also find that each time I do something like that, I learn more Zoom tricks.
I have to admit that before it started, we were a bit concerned if we would be able to get a quorum, given the circumstances. In the end, I was delighted with the attendance, with over 40 in all logging in. There are still a few logistical challenges we have to work on if we have to do it again. For example, as people were able to participate just by going to a Zoom link without registering in advance, we had no easy way to provide copies of documents to them. But we’ll work on these.
The biggest disappointment of the meeting was that we didn’t get a chance to socialize with Eau Claire residents afterwards over a glass of wine.
Highlights were certainly the two guest presentations by Ward 7 Councillour Druh Farrell, and by members of the team working on the City’s Eau Claire Area Improvement Program.
Councillour Farrell brought with her the good news that the Eau Claire Fire Hall will NOT be closing after all. A staunch opponent of this, she pointed out that this was completely inconsistent with the City’s objective of trying to get more people living downtown and in the city centre.
A lot of Calgary’s transportation system was built to get people out of downtown quickly, while what’s needed, she pointed out, is making it more attractive for people to come into, and stay in, downtown. And a vital element of that is creating a more attractive and vital public realm.
That led perfectly into the next presentation by City staff on some of the many projects underway to improve the public realm in Eau Claire and adjacent communities, including, the downtown flood barrier, extension of the Eau Claire Promenade, redesign of the Eau Claire Plaza, making it a more useful, integrated, and vibrant place, and replacement of the Jaipur Bridge. There was obvious keen interest in this, judging from the quantity and quality of the questions asked.
The overall objective of making the downtown communities, and especially Eau Claire, more attractive as places to live and work, is of course exactly what ECCA has been promoting.
A copy of this presentation and further information is being posted on the ECCA website and even more information is available on the City website.
I want to thank Councillour Farrell, Joyce Tang, Natalie Coombs, and their teams for their presentations.
I also want to thank outgoing ECCA directors, Emily Farquhar-Struck and George Sanderson for their past service on the Board, and their work to making life in Eau Claire better. And I want to congratulate the directors re-elected for another term, Gerda Bloemraad, Peg Oneil, and Daniel Wolfe.
In closing, on behalf of the ECCA Board I want to extend our best wishes to all Eau Claire residents for a healthy and happy holiday season, and joyous New Year.
