It likely comes as no surprise, but we’re disappointed to let you know that we won’t be hosting our annual Stampede Breakfast and BBQ this year due to COVID-19, and the health and safety measures we’re all following to help keep everyone well. This is Renfrew’s biggest party, and we’ll miss seeing everybody, but we look forward to celebrating together when it’s safe to do so. The Stampede event is also where we sell and renew community memberships, which expire June 30, but you can still purchase or renew a membership online at www.renfrewyyc.ca/memberships. Although the cost of membership is low, the funds help support the special events and initiatives that make Renfrew such a great place to live.
The fallout of COVID-19 goes beyond cancelled events. The Renfrew Community Association (RCA) generates most of its revenue from hall rentals but, for now, there are no weddings, family reunions, or other event rentals taking place. In April, the board passed an emergency budget to limit expenditures and ensure expenses such as utilities and hall maintenance are covered for the duration of the pandemic. The budget will be reviewed every three months.
The pandemic is also taking a toll on the neighbourhood businesses that are a vital part of our community — it’s important to have shops and restaurants within walking distance of our homes, and many of these owners and employees live in Renfrew and/or support the community as well. We want to help our local businesses get through this difficult period so they will still be there when more people are out and about again. To support them, the RCA has been shining a spotlight on what they do and giving away several prizes and gift cards — stay tuned on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for details and, if you can, please support local!
Finally, we’re continuing our efforts to support people in need. Renfrew Cares connects those who need help with those who would like to assist. So please, if you need something, don’t hesitate to ask! Visit renfrewyyc.ca/neighbour to complete the brief form, or email [email protected], and someone will contact you with the next steps.
The volunteers behind the proposed Renfrew Solar Garden have been notified that the project proposal was not awarded funding through the Municipal Community Generation Challenge. They will be looking into other options. Meanwhile, they want to thank all community members who showed interest and support for the project.
Now for some good news — Renfrew has repaid all funds owing to its restricted accounts as a result of the 2015-2017 Audit by Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. These funds have been repaid ahead of schedule, and new policies and procedures were put in place to ensure such mistakes don’t happen again.
You can keep informed about what’s happening in your neighbourhood by subscribing to our emails (we usually only send one or two a month) through www.renfrewyyc.ca, and following us @RenfrewCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We look forward to getting together when we can, but until then, stay safe, and be kind.
