Keep Up to Date – Please Sign Up for Email Updates
The newsletter is not frequent enough to communicate things that are changing on short notice in regards to the community association, the community centre, and community events.
So, in order for us to keep you up to date, please register your email address near the bottom of the first page of our website. Our email list is then updated to include your email address. The website address is www.cliffbungalowmission.com. Thank you.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting is on Wednesday, November 18. Due to COVID-19, there will be a small in-person attendance, and up to 100 online attendance. For in-person attendance, you get a ticket online. For online attendance, you join the meeting via Zoom. See the notice elsewhere in this newsletter. We will update via emails.
Congratulations, Melissa
Melissa Parcels, our Social Director, gave birth to a baby boy on Saturday, October 3. Congratulations, Melissa!
2nd Street SW and Prospect Trail Projects Are in Progress at the Time of Writing this Column (Early October)
The changes to 2nd Street are in progress. It will have a Cycle Track on the west side of the street. This project has been in the planning stage for several years. It is a compromise based on consultations done by the City. Some have expressed their displeasure, particularly at the loss of on-street parking. On the other hand, there are improvements supported by others. You may wonder why the City is doing this now when money is tight. We were fold that the street needed certain upgrades now and the others changes (including Cycle Track) were incorporated to minimize long term overall cost and disruptions.
The second project involves Prospect Trail. This is part of the community amenities that resulted in the approval of the Riverwalk senior’s project located at 25th Avenue and 5th Street SW. There will be a new staircase connecting Cliff Street to the existing Trail. Then the Trail will have some upgrades to Hillcrest Avenue SW. Access will be closed during construction.
Two Buildings with Francophone Roots Have Been Designated as Municipal Historic Resources
The former St Mary’s Parish hall and the Dr Rouleau house have been designated by the City as Municipal Historic Resources.
The sandstone Parish Hall was also the CNR train depot for many years. The rear additions were built during the time it was a CNR train depot. I remember coming by train to that depot during my time going to University. There was a fire after that, and it stood empty for several years. Then it was restored. For many years since restoration, it has been home to Alberta Ballet.
In an article I wrote for the newsletter in September 2003, I noted the Rouleau house was under threat of demolition. It was built in 1887 – 88, and is the oldest structure still standing in our community, originally part of the village of Rouleauville. Dr Rouleau was born in Quebec in 1843. He came west to Battleford in 1884 to join his brother Charles, who had been made a Stipendiary Judge of NWT. They were there during the Riel Rebellion. They then moved to Rouleauville. He served as one of the first physicians at Holy Cross Hospital and as jail surgeon for the NWMP at Fort Calgary. The Friends of Rouleau House was formed when the threat of demolition came to light and it helped raise awareness and ultimately the house was moved to its current and third site. It has recently been restored and will be used by Alberta Ballet.
300 Block 25 Avenue SW
We are waiting the scheduling of the public hearing of City Council to consider a land use redesignation covering 306 to 312 – 25 Avenue SW. The proposed Land Use District is MU-1 with a FAR (Floor Are Ratio) of 4.5 and a height of 24 metres. This would allow up to seven stories. Current Land Use allows up to five stories. 3.5 FAR and a height of 15 metres. Four houses (three built in 1910 and one built in 1911) would be torn down to accommodate a new building. These houses currently have several suites each.
During September we posted an online survey to find out what community residents think about building heights. This knowledge will help CBMCA as we deal with this proposed land use change. You still have an opportunity to complete this short survey and voice your opinion – go to https://bit.ly/3hbE6FA.
At some point, this proposed land use change will go to a Public Hearing of City Council where anyone can submit written comments and can make a 5-minute verbal presentation. It may take place this fall. We will send out an email when we know the date and how you can voice your opinion on this matter. Please register your email online on our website, www.cliffbungalowmission.com.
Pathway and River Clean Up 2020
Our portion of the Pathway and River Clean Up this year was a partnership between Cliff Bungalow – Mission Community Association, Erlton Community Association, and Repsol Sport Centre. It took place on Friday, September 18, after being postponed from early May due to COVID-19. Key organizers were Ted Knudtson of Cliff Bungalow – Mission, Mona Hayes and Nicole Bakker of Erlton, and Peter Kaczan and Gail Brooks of Repsol. Our local Subway provided the food with funding from Hopewell Real Estate.
In attendance were Councillor Jeromy Farkas and Lindsay Seewalt of Ward 11, and Jill Mawer of Ward 8.
We thank everyone who participated. Details of the event were not determined in time for the newsletter, so emails and Facebook were our prime communication vehicles. This is another example of why you should make sure your email address is registered on our website (bottom of first page) to receive email notices.
