Calgary Community Associations mark milestones and create new ways to connect
Across Calgary, The City’s community partners including more than 160 community associations, are celebrating milestone anniversaries while volunteers turn local ideas into welcoming events, useful amenities and new ways for neighbours to connect.
So far this year, some notable anniversaries include the Sandstone MacEwan Community Association marking 40 years, the Brentwood Community Association celebrating 50 years, the North Haven Community Association celebrating 60, the Triwood Community Association marking 65 years and the Rosedale Community Association reaching their 75th anniversary. These community association milestones, which are only a few, reflect decades of community residents giving their time, ideas and care to strengthen Calgary’s communities.
This year’s celebrations are part of the larger story of partnership with Calgary’s community associations, including the Kincora Community Association’s work on a new playground to create another space for families to gather. The Symons Valley Leisure and Amenities Society submitted a development permit for the first stage of a community sport and recreation hub, the Coach Hill Patterson Heights Community Association broke ground on a community space, while the Hidden Valley Community Association's member discount program is building connections between residents and local businesses.
“We partner with Calgary community associations to make life better for all Calgarians. This close partnership allows us to work together to create and sustain vibrant and healthy communities across the city,” said Tim Mowrey, Manager, Community Partners for The City. “We encourage all Calgarians to attend events, become members of their community association, volunteer or serve on your community association Board.”
Community association events are also bringing neighbourhoods together in creative ways, including the West Springs and Capitol Hill Community Association's hosting successful Neighbour Day activities in June, the Mahogany Community Association hosting a community screening event for the new Toy Story movie in July and the Rutland Park Community Association receiving the Inspiring Neighbourhood Grant funding for two sea can storage containers to be painted with beautiful murals. In the community of Redstone, the community association ‘s third annual Stampede Breakfast drew an amazing crowd of 7,000 people, with Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith both attending. The Elbow Park Community Association replaced a vandalized and broken sundial in the Gerry Shaw Garden, the Montgomery Community Association welcomed families to its Great Big Family Picnic in August, while the Sage Hill Community Association invited residents to their community duck hunt in April and the Ranchlands Community Association held a ‘Dog Mayor’ contest with Shiba Inu Kero announced as the winner last month.
Calgary’s community associations represent more than 250 communities. The Federation of Calgary Communities is also a partner of The City in supporting community associations as they work to offer social, recreational, and educational opportunities close to home, take care of gathering spaces and buildings, and help Calgarians have a voice in community life. More than 16,000 volunteers support Calgary’s community associations with thousands of hours each year.
Learn more about Calgary’s community associations.
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