At the writing of this message, the provincial government has extended social restrictive measures in an attempt to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This announcement continues the closure of the Community Hall until at least January 21. We sympathize with the local businesses that had to shut down or restrict service during these pandemic times. We, like all communities in Calgary, value the contribution of such businesses to the well-being of our neighbourhoods, and encourage support of these stores and facilities once restrictions are removed. We also continue to recognize the sacrifices of our health care workers and those continuing to provide essential services throughout this crisis.
At Cambrian Heights, we will continue to provide our two ice rinks to support outdoor activity. If you are available to help out with the rinks’ maintenance, please contact the team headed by Scott at [email protected] to offer some hours of worthwhile effort for the kids. We also encourage residents to utilize Confederation Park for sliding and walking during this winter season. If you are not aware, Nordic skiing is available at Confederation Golf Course thanks to volunteers from various organizations grooming trails. Nordic trails are also available at Bowness Park, Shaganappi Golf course, and South Glenmore Park. As well, we are fortunate to have Nose Hill Park for snow shoeing after fresh snow falls and walks on warmer winter days.
We will continue to explore options for online programs focusing on informational and social activities. In this regard, we organized a Mealtime Cooking demonstration online for January 28, and have scheduled a three-part Community Waste Exploration for February 10, 17, and 24. Details of this may be found in a poster within the newsletter. If you have ideas for additional online activities, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
While the COVID -19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of social events, our weekly drop-in Yoga Program and our general Fitness Programs will continue to be offered online into 2021. Both Lorene Hughes – Fitness ([email protected]) and Kyrsten Blair – Yoga ([email protected]) will operate these programs, using experience gained from the changes COVID-19 brought in March. Please consult the advertisement posters in this issue, or our website, for further details. A review will be made in the first quarter of 2021 towards returning to in-person Community Hall sessions starting in April.
The Community Association continues to look for residents interested in volunteering to help develop programs and activities for adults and children living in Cambrian Heights. Of particular interest to many residents is the amount of development activity occurring within Cambrian Heights. There are also the ongoing changes to regulation guidelines being proposed by City officials to encourage such development. Joining the Planning Committee for your community will open up opportunities to impact such developmental changes on the ground floor. To get involved or for more information please contact us at [email protected].
The Planning Committee continues to work on both near term responses to Development Permits, and the longer-term issues, involving such City projects as the Green Line LRT and the changes coming in development planning detailed in the updated Guidebook for Great Communities available on the City website (www.calgary.ca). As a recent City of Calgary initiative, we remind everyone that concerned residents may now view online proposed development permits after completing a Viewing Authorization form. Simply email [email protected] to start the process. Previously, a resident had to view the plans at the downtown Municipal Building or by contacting the Community Association. Residents wishing henceforth to view such plans will be referenced by Cambrian Heights to this new online service.
A volunteer committee, made up of residents both in Cambrian Heights and Rosemont, is planning enhancements of the 32nd Avenue Dog Park space for residents and their dogs. We are currently working with Calgary Parks in this initiative, who have recently committed to plant some small trees in the space during 2021. We have also recently partnered with a Mount Royal student program to develop an effective resident communication platform and fundraising effort. You will hear more of that program in the near future. The Committee now expects to have a preliminary design concept and procedures for comments posted on a bulletin board at the 32nd Avenue Dog Park and on our website in February. It is imperative that we have effective consultations before project initiation during the spring/summer of 2021. It is further expected that this will be a multi-year process, as funds need to be raised for each stage of development. Critical to this process is that residents come forward and involve themselves with all stages of design, fundraising, and implementation. It is hoped that this will be the first step in our program to enhance all the parks in the community to make them more useful as green spaces for community area residents. If you wish to be part of this process, working with other volunteers in a partnered effort, please contact us at [email protected].
The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 1. With the hall closure mandate, these meetings are being conducted online. If you wish to bring some issue forward to the Board, please contact me in advance of any meeting. We can then make arrangements for you to attend through video conferencing if necessary.
Stay healthy and safe.
Daryl Connolly, President CHCA
