Dear Diamond Cove Residents,
As we move from the crisp days of fall into the chilly embrace of winter, we hope this message finds you well. First, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in the Parade of Garage Sales this past September. We hope it was a resounding success for you! A special thank you goes to our sponsor, Dorothea Sautter from Royal LePage, whose support helped make this event possible.
With Halloween just around the corner, we want to remind everyone to take extra special care when driving through the neighbourhood. Our community has welcomed many new families with young children, and we ask that you stay vigilant, especially during trick-or-treat hours. Slowing down and being cautious can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and enjoyable Halloween for everyone.
As the seasons change and winter approaches, it’s time to think about how we can support one another during the colder months. We are fortunate to have a close-knit community, and this is the perfect time to embody the spirit of neighbourliness. We have elderly residents and neighbours who may need a little extra help with snow shoveling and taking out their bins. If you’re able, consider being a snow angel this year—lend a hand, clear a sidewalk, brush off a car, or offer to take care of someone’s bins. Small acts of kindness go a long way in making Diamond Cove a wonderful place to live.
While Christmas is still a few months away, we are thrilled to announce that the Christmas Light Contest is returning this year! Let’s light up Diamond Cove with festive cheer. There will be prizes awarded for first through third place, so get creative and start planning your displays. This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community, celebrate the season, and showcase the beauty of our neighbourhood. The board is also working on a few other exciting events for 2025, and we will keep everyone posted as details are finalized.
On a more practical note, you should have received information from the City of Calgary regarding the special tax levy for Diamond Cove in 2025. We understand that not everyone may be aware of what these funds are allocated for, so we wanted to provide some clarity. The $47.93 per household, per year, is dedicated to covering the costs of extra snow removal that is not handled by the city, maintaining the seasonal planters along the drive, and ensuring the upkeep of the trees and general landscaping. It also contributes to the insurance costs for the association. With only 271 households in our neighbourhood, the funds raised through this levy are extremely limited. For reference, the City provides us with a small grant of $125 per year.
There are other pressing projects that require funding, such as the repair and maintenance of the front entrance stucco and caps, and the inside and caps of the retaining wall that separates Diamond Cove from Bow Bottom. These projects are significant in cost, and the current board is actively looking into other sources of funding, including applying for grants and trying to secure a gaming license from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. With this license, we hope to organize events such as casino nights, bingo games, raffles, and 50/50 draws, which could provide much-needed funds for our community improvements. We will need volunteers for these events so stayed tuned for more information.
We understand that times are tough for many, and with that in mind, we’ve kept the tax levy increase to just 3% for 2025. We will also be reaching out to business owners within our community and the surrounding areas for potential sponsorships or donations toward prizes for the Christmas Light Contest and other events like Neighbour Day. If you or someone you know is willing to contribute, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via email at [email protected]. Your support, whether big or small, can make a significant difference.
In addition, we’d like to remind our residents that if you own a business and would like to advertise, Fridays are the designated days for social media sharing to promote local businesses. If you have a graphic and a message prepared, we’d be more than happy to share it with our community. This is a great way to support local enterprises while keeping our neighbourhood vibrant and connected.
Thank you to everyone for the time and care you put into maintaining your homes and yards. Together, we can keep Diamond Cove clean, beautiful, and a place we’re all proud to call home.
By the time you read this, you should have heard about the opening celebration for our brand-new playground! We’re excited to see this new space bring joy to our community’s children and families.
Finally, please keep an eye out for the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is usually held somewhere between late April to early May. This year, we will have a Special General Meeting in conjunction with the AGM to approve a new set of bylaws, as required by our current governing documents. Your participation in these meetings is crucial, as it allows us to make informed decisions that benefit the entire community. All homeowners in Diamond Cove have a vote at each Special and General Meeting of the Association.
Please continue to stay in touch with the board, look out for your neighbours, and take care to keep our greenspaces and grounds clear of garbage and debris. We’re always here to listen and support you.
Best wishes for a wonderful fall and winter season!
Warm regards,
Sonia Dantu
President, Diamond Cove Homeowners Association
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