13 deserving Calgarians receive recognition at the 2016 Calgary Awards

On June 28, The City of Calgary presented 13 awards to recipients at the 2016 Calgary Awards. Mayor Nenshi and members of City Council were in attendance to recognize the many deserving recipients at the ceremony.

The Calgary Awards showcase The City’s priorities of community, the environment, accessibility, and arts and culture.

Highlights from this year’s awards include the Community Advocate Award presented to Cheri Macaulay, and The Citizen of Year award to Dr. Lucy Miller for her outstanding contributions to the community. The Signature Award, recognizing an individual who has brought significant recognition to the city, was awarded to Robert Brawn.

Citizen of the Year Award : Mayor Nenshi, Dr. Lucy Miller

Each year, individuals, corporations, community groups and organizations are nominated in five major award categories. It is one of the largest citizen recognition programs in the city.

“It was such an honour to present this year’s Calgary Awards to some of the very best people and organizations in this great city. The leadership and commitment to community shown by the recipients is an inspiration for me and many, many people,” said Mayor Nenshi following the ceremony. “They make Calgary better every day, and I'm proud to call them fellow citizens.”

Grant MacEwan Lifetime Achievement Award:
Mayor Nenshi, Dr. Babins- Wagner and Grant MacEwan’s
granddaughters Lynwyn Foran-Aebli and Fiona Foran

The City thanks the following sponsors for their continued support of The Calgary Awards: Oil City Press, The University of Calgary, Husky Energy and Shaw TV.

All Calgarians are encouraged to look to their neighbours, colleagues, community leaders and local organizations and businesses for those who could qualify as recipients of the Calgary Awards.

Nominations for the 2017 Calgary Awards will launch in January 2018. Visit calgary.ca/calgaryawards for more information.

CTrain Operator rescues forgotten purse filled with birthday cash

Calgary Transit customer Li Feng Yang got her 75th birthday wish.

After receiving $1,300 in cash gifts from family and friends for her recent birthday, the mood went from joy to sorrow when she accidently left her purse containing the money on a CTrain during a trip to see her family doctor.

Yang was also planning to deposit the money in the bank.

She immediately notified Calgary Transit about her devastating loss.

“It must have slipped off my arm,” Yang said of her purse, which plopped onto the seat beside her. After notifying Calgary Transit, the senior said she had a “sleepless night” wondering if she would ever see the purse and money again.

Enter CTrain operator Mesfin Tadese. “I found it on the train during a walk through at 69th Street,” Tadese said. “I called it in and kept it safe with me.” The purse was turned over to Calgary Transit’s lost property unit and returned to Yang with all its precious contents intact.

“I was just so happy,” said Yang. “I’m so grateful!”

“I’m just glad she got her purse back” Tadese said. “I wouldn’t want to lose that amount of cash.”

Every day, 50 to 100 forgotten items are turned in to Calgary Transit’s lost property department. It takes teamwork behind the scenes to help with the speedy return of wallets, cell phones and other valuables left behind. Everything from musical instruments to false teeth have turned up after being mistakenly left behind on buses and CTrains. Winter is peak season for forgotten goods, most notably toques, gloves and scarves.

All found items are collected at our bus garages and secured in a metal bin for delivery to our Centre Street Lost Property office.

Lost property can be reported online at CalgaryTransit.com or by calling 403-268-1600. Owners can also call 403-262-1000 to learn if their property has been turned in. Be prepared to give a detailed description of the lost item, the date and time it was lost and the route number.

Providing transit service that is helpful is part of Calgary Transit’s Customer Commitment.

Calgary building permit values spike in October

October has been a record month for building permit applications in Calgary, a strong indication that despite the current economy, developers remain confident in the Calgary economy in the longer term.

Total construction value for building permits in October 2016 was over $1.5 billion, the highest value in a single month on record in Calgary. We saw a 36 per cent increase in single family homes and a 47 per cent increase in new commercial buildings in October 2016 compared to the previous month. This beat last October’s record of $1.47 billion, which was when an updated Alberta Building Code was implemented.

This month’s spike in applications can be attributed to the Nov. 1 implementation of the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings and Section 9.36 of the Alberta Building Code, both of which bring in energy efficiency requirements.

“Many of those applying for a building permit prior to the Nov. 1 energy code deadline have been in the planning stages for a long time,” says Justin Pockar, energy and environmental coordinator at The City of Calgary. “If they were to follow the new energy efficiency requirements, they would face significant design changes that could result in increased cost and time delays.”

For those applying after the Nov. 1 energy code deadline, The City has developed tools, checklists and resources to help builders adopt these new standards for both commercial and residential buildings. The initial deadline for energy code compliance was May 1, 2016, but was extended by the Government of Alberta in order to give builders more time to familiarize themselves with the requirements. As a result, both The City and builders have been preparing for these changes for over a year.

Construction projects that have taken out building permits, while not a guarantee of completion, are a strong indicator that projects are moving forward in 2016 and 2017. They could take two or more years to complete. Here are some of the projects we saw come in this month:

• Intergulf developments mixed use tower in the Beltline. Total construction value: $95,321,510
• Crosstown, residential towers on Macleod Trail. Total construction value: $111,118,472
• The Orchard, a mixed-use development in the Beltline. Total construction value of tower 1: $57,876,300
• Marriott Hotel in the downtown commercial core. Total construction value: $57,487,700
• Skyview Ranch, a multi-phase apartment complex and retail. Total construction value: $55,725,500

Building permit construction values by quarter, January 2014 – October 2016

Calgary Transit employees reunite lost four-year-old with parents

A Calgary family is thanking CTrain operators and Calgary Transit staff for helping reunite them after their four-year-old son hopped on the CTrain alone.

From left: Calgary Transit operator Parminder Ghuman, 
Daniel Petke with wife Brittni and son Kayden, 
Calgary Transit operations supervisor Shannon Dorozio, 

and operator Karey Depatie.

Daniel Petke and his wife Brittni watched helplessly as the doors closed and the train pulled away, whisking the couple’s young son Kayden away from Westbrook Station Tuesday night. But thanks to assistance from fast-acting Calgary Transit staff, the little boy was brought safely back to his parents within minutes.

It all happened quickly, said Daniel, who met and thanked the Calgary Transit employees Wednesday.

“He jumped on the train right away like he always does. I turned around and my wife was not quite right behind me, and I ran back to grab the groceries and help her onto the train. By the time I got back to the train it was shutting, and I slammed on the button, started banging on the door. I was yelling: ‘that’s my son, that’s my son.’ It was a very scary moment,” he said.

“It was right out of a movie for me: the door closed, there was nothing I could do. My son’s looking right at me, yelling, ‘Daddy!’ It was heart-wrenching just watching the train pull away.”

Daniel immediately hit the transit help phone button. Shannon Dorozio, Operations Supervisor for Call Centre/PS100 did her best to calm the frantic parents.



“Optimally, this is the type of call we like to get – it was immediate so the train hadn’t even arrived at the next station. I alerted our rail control and they contacted the driver and had him check at the next station. We have CCTV cameras monitoring at platforms, we were able to keep continuity of the train, we dispatched peace officers to start heading towards the parents to pick them up if required,” she said.

Meanwhile, as CTrain operator Parminder Ghuman learned he had an unattended child on board, he wasted no time bringing the lad into the driver’s cab with him.

“He was very happy to see me. I brought him into my cab. I was worried about the parents because I have small kids, too.”

Operator Karey Depatie was waiting to meet Kayden at the next station to bring him back to his worried parents on her CTrain.

“He was such a happy little guy to have in the cab. He was talking trains the whole time,” she said.

Thanks to great work by Calgary Transit staff, the boy was quickly reunited with his relieved parents, who say it was the longest 10 minutes of their lives.

“He got off the train with a huge smile ran into my arms and the first thing he said was, ‘Mommy, I got to drive the train!” said mother Brittni.

In her 13-year career with Calgary Transit, Karey says she’s seen half a dozen young children separated from their parents on CTrains.

She has some advice for parents: “Please hold their hands. If you’re holding their hand, no one’s getting left behind.”

Calgary heroes recognized by Calgary Fire Department

It’s around four in the morning in late September on a residential drive in the southeast. The quiet of the hour is disrupted when a driver, doing about double the speed limit, hits the curb. The car he’s driving flips, smashes mid-air through a tree and lands upside down, wedged under the front balcony of a four-plex. The tree is down, the front door of one home destroyed and the driver, trapped under the crushed dash, is unconscious. The engine bursts into flames.

A tragic outcome for the driver and sleeping residents inside the four connected homes was avoided, all thanks to a police officer who happened to see the whole thing – changing a potentially deadly situation into one of heroic rescues and immense appreciation for his actions.

CFD annual recognition event

Calgary Police Constable Jason Schneider (middle) is recognized for life-saving 
actions by Fire Chief Steve Dongworth (right) and Colin Senkow (left), 
member of the Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard.

Today, the Calgary Fire Department recognized Cst. Jason Schneider for his life-saving actions during those early morning hours in September, with a Medal of Bravery and Commendation. This is the Calgary Fire Department’s highest honour, bestowed to citizens and emergency services personnel who save lives or risk personal injury to ensure others’ safety.

“I’m very honoured to receive this award,” Schneider said. “It’s highly prestigious.”

Schneider is one of 11 Calgarians to receive a Commendation today at Calgary Fire Department’s annual recognition event held during Fire Prevention Week.

Another 23 people received Recognition awards for their significant efforts during a fire-attended emergency, where people or property were in danger and their actions avoided injuries or damages; and 10 more received Appreciation awards for providing basic first aid or an act of kindness to a victim.

Looking back, Schneider says he didn’t see himself in danger as much as he did the potential victims. “That’s from all the training we get as first responders, so really, anyone would have done what I did.”

Modesty aside, what he did clearly deserves a medal.

Back at the crash site
Just beyond the threshold of one home, a woman stood frozen in disbelief and shock. Schneider yelled at her to get out of the house but the damaged door blocked her exit. He managed to free the door and quickly ordered the woman and her elderly father away from further risk.

Schneider then turned to the driver, still unconscious and trapped. He crawled inside the burning car, thinking, “If the car blows at least I’ll be inside and underneath it.”

Just as he freed the driver, four other police officers arrived on scene. Two of them grabbed fire extinguishers from the cruisers and started on the fire; the others banged on neighbours’ doors. One of the residents later said he thought his house was being broken into. He was right, sort of, but in a good way.

Firefighters and EMS arrived within a few minutes to complete the fire suppression and first aid duties. Now when Schneider thinks about it, he says, “Without a doubt what stands out most for me was how the five of us (police officers) worked together before fire and EMS arrived. I couldn’t have gotten all those people out of their homes, managed the fire and saved the driver, too. Together though, it was pretty impressive.”

Schneider’s police colleagues who helped that night also received Recognition awards today: Constables Greg Burnett, Marty Woodrow, Renee Moore and Dan Rogers.

Visit The City of Calgary newsroom for the full list of award recipients and their respective heroics.

Working together, 9-1-1 emergency communication officer helps woman save husband’s life

It’s normal to wake up from a nightmare momentarily disoriented, short of breath and heart pounding. Unpleasant as they are, it usually only takes a few minutes to settle down and go back to sleep.

But for Ann Scrymgeour, there would be no rest to follow once awoken in the darkest hours of the night – and her life – by the very real nightmare happening beside her.

Jack, her husband of 43 years, lay unresponsive in the midst of a heart attack. Shaking off the panic that threatened to paralyze her, Ann quickly phoned 9-1-1.

“9-1-1 for what city?” answered Emergency Communication Officer (ECO) Steven Haggblad, stating the standard greeting for the service that also answers calls for the areas surrounding Calgary, such as Airdrie and Okotoks.

In less than a minute, Steven had collected the initial details and dispatched the appropriate emergency responders. Within two minutes of answering, Steven was coaching Ann through CPR chest compressions. With EMS enroute, Ann performed more than 600 chest compressions on her husband, successfully bringing him back to life not only once, but twice.

The arrival of emergency personnel was an overwhelming relief for both Ann and Steven, who were then able to turn Jack’s care over to EMS knowing they’d done everything possible in those critical early moments to save his life.

When he finally regained consciousness after several days in hospital, Ann’s nightmare slowly began to loosen its grip. It let go completely when the doctor told them the heart attack caused no brain damage or long-term memory loss.

“How does one say thank you when there just aren’t words,” Ann shared in a thank-you card she wrote to Steven shortly after Jack’s release.

“God sent me an angel named Steve who coached me on CPR and we got Jack’s breath back twice, which the emergency doctor said saved Jack’s life,” Ann wrote, adding that Jack was doing “so well.”

The letter sincerely conveyed the family’s heartfelt gratitude to Steven, but Ann and Jack still wanted to thank him in person. On September 10th, they got their wish. The hugs and tears of gratitude embraced everyone in the moment, made extra special when Ann and Jack presented Steven with a Lifesaver pin, an honour bestowed upon ECOs who help save a life.

9-1-1 is indeed a lifeline when someone’s health or safety is at risk. As the first of the first responders, 9-1-1 serves as that critical link between citizens and the emergency help they need. With over one million calls a year and an average answer time of six seconds, your 9-1-1 is one of the largest Public Safety Answer Points in Canada.

Learn more about 9-1-1 at calgary.ca/911 including tips on when and how to call, and how to prevent accidental calls.

The sights and sounds of a new recreation facility

The year 2016 will be particularly special for southeast Calgarians who have a major need of recreation facilities in their communities. After years of engagement, planning, designing and constructing four new recreation facilities in southeast and northwest Calgary, the opening of two of those facilities are close to reality.

Rendering of the new Quarry Park Recreation Facility, opening 2016

I am so excited for the residents of Ogden, Riverbend, Quarry Park, Douglasdale/Glen, who will soon experience how the new Quarry Park Recreation Facility will make their community more complete. On the surface, the immediate impact will be better access to the recreation, sport, leisure and learning amenities these communities helped us identify would best serve their needs, but there is much more these facilities will bring.

Rendering of the view from the main lobby of the new
Great Plains Recreation Facility, opening 2016

The best way to describe how recreation can elevate a community is to describe the sights and sounds you’ll experience as you walk through the front door. Perhaps you’re picking up your child from daycare or from a class. You’ll recognize other parents from your neighbourhood doing the exact same thing and there is a chance to meet, converse and strengthen those connections. Around you is a steady flow of movement - some people carrying gym bags are headed to a fitness class, others are coming out enriched from the new full-service library. Around you are the sounds of a bouncing basketball, splashes from the leisure and lap pools, and footsteps from the running track above.

Further east and just north of Glenmore Trail at the Great Plains recreation facility, two multi-sport ice rinks will serve the competitive and leisure enthusiasts of ice sports. But great attention was also paid to make sure this would be a social experience for the fans. Among the familiar swoosh of blades gliding over the ice, there are plenty of spaces outside of the traditional seating areas where parents, grandparents and supporters can keep one eye on the ice while enjoying a conversation and connecting in a shared love of sport.

These are the wonderful experiences I have come across time and time again in my 35-year career working with City-owned recreation facilities. In the next 12 months or so as the Quarry Park and Great Plains facilities are used for the first time, I look forward to seeing the strengthened relationships, enriched families and a more active, vibrant and complete community for southeast Calgarians.


About the Author

Rob McAuley began his career with The City of Calgary 35 years ago in Aquatics. He is currently the manager of the New Recreation Facilities Project which is responsible for developing four new recreation facilities in Quarry Park, Great Plains, Seton and Rocky Ridge.

To learn more, visit www.calgary.ca/newreccentres

Down the drain no more - practical reuse leads water conservation efforts

Reusing waste water instead of sending it down the drain is one way The City demonstrates leadership in water conservation and sustainability. The City is leading not only by example, but also at the regulatory level.

example of a rainwater housing system

Inspections & Permit Services is a group that has always helped businesses, builders and homeowners navigate the world of green building and sustainable design practices. However, one thing that was missing was the provincial Plumbing Code was the allowance of reclaimed water* usage. That was until August of this year when Municipal Affairs issued a variance to the Plumbing Code – a result of The City of Calgary and other municipalities working towards a change.


“It is important to lead conservation discussions, while at the same time, thinking about the health aspect,” explains Richard Burk, Operational Supervisor, Inspection and Permit Services. In addition to helping enact this change, Richard chaired the task group that created the guidelines all municipalities must follow to work to regulate acceptable reclaimed waste water systems.

“On a day-to-day basis, we enforce the rules set down by the province. We work with home owners, plumbers and engineers to advise on provincial and national codes and standards to ensure [the] correct plans for the implementation of green technologies are being used,” says Richard.

water distribution system

If a business or homeowner wants to install a reclaimed water system, Inspections & Permit Services reviews the plans submitted under the application for a plumbing permit. Once the plans are approved, an inspection is completed upon installation to make sure the system is good to go.

Businesses are jumping on board to save money and water. The new Calgary Airport terminal has included reclaimed water systems in their design and the Calgary South Hospital is using water from water softening equipment to flush toilets and urinals. The new Telus Sky tower is also looking at incorporating reclaimed water into its design. And The City? We’re now able to start using reclaimed water to wash garbage trucks.

“Solutions like this help alleviate stress and add years of service to City facilities. It is important to be able to use our sustainable design practices in order to benefit the environment and reduce demand on infrastructure,” says Richard.

Permit requirements for installing sustainable technology
Depending on the construction processes involved and Land Use Bylaw rules, the installation of a sustainable technology system may require a development permit, building permit and/or trade permits (electrical, heating, plumbing). For more information, please contact the Planning Services Support Centre at 403-268-5311.

Other information regarding water reuse
Check out The City commitment to reduce water consumption (in 2002) by 30 per cent over 30 years.
Check out the Rainwater Harvesting Guide which outlines the best practices for rainwater harvesting systems in the City of Calgary.

*Reclaimed water is the practice of treating wastewater to remove all impurities to meet commercial and industrial water needs, such as toilet and urinal flushing and car washes. Reclaimed water is water that is used more than one time before it passes back into the natural water cycle promoting water conservation and sustainability.

Calgary safety codes officers lend a hand after flood waters hit Chestermere

For City of Calgary safety codes officers Michael Kennelly and Vernon Durkee, a typical day at work means inspecting construction projects to ensure safety and compliance with the Alberta Building Code.

But last month, they used their skills and knowledge in a different way to help residents in Chestermere after torrential rain and hail flooded hundreds of homes.

City of Calgary Safety Codes Officer Michael Kennelly

The City of Chestermere offered free safety inspections to residents, and Kennelly and Durkee volunteered to assist - visiting an estimated 40 homes over the course of two days. They were checking the extent of flood damage and offering advice to homeowners, including structural issues, mould, wet drywall and more.

“It felt great to help out a fellow municipality in a time of need,” says Kennelly. “The flooding in Chestermere was traumatic for everyone involved. People were at their most vulnerable point; emotions and fear were running high. It was wonderful to be able to be there and to reassure people about what comes next, and that maybe the damage to their home wasn’t as bad as they feared.”

Durkee and Kennelly said that most of the damage to the homes they inspected was minimal, and their advice included ripping out drenched carpet and replacing drywall.

“We used what others at The City of Calgary learned during our flood and applied it to help people in Chestermere,” says Durkee.

The Safety Codes Council of Alberta granted Kennelly and Durkee temporary designation to assist Chestermere, as normally they are only certified to complete inspections in Calgary. Funding for The City of Calgary to help during an event of this magnitude is typically covered by the Disaster Recovery Program through the province of Alberta.

“Working with The City of Chestermere was fantastic,” says Kennelly. “The gratitude we experienced was immense. It was also amazing for training purposes. I’m a fairly new safety codes officer, and it was great to learn about how other municipalities do things.”

Chestermere Deputy Mayor Christopher Steeves says the storms experienced in July had a massive impact on many residents.

“Our community is very resilient,” Steeves says. “We have been working hard to do everything we can to help our citizens get back on their feet after the flooding. We appreciate the support we received from our neighbours and partners at The City of Calgary during this challenging time and would like to pass on our thanks for their assistance.”

In addition to sending safety inspectors to Chestermere, The City of Calgary also allowed Chestermere to use Calgary landfills for flood-damaged items at a reduced rate through Chestermere’s collection bins.

In the past, The City of Calgary has assisted in many ways with emergency operations during disasters in Slave Lake and High River.

More information about flood recovery:
Calgary: calgary.ca/floodrecovery
Chestermere: chestermere.ca/floodsupport

Fire, Water, Earth: Coming full circle with water conservation in fire training

In experiencing some warmer temperatures of late, it serves as a good reminder of our access to fresh, clean water and the importance it plays in our everyday lives. In helping to preserve this precious resource, The City of Calgary looks for opportunities to implement water conservation practices throughout its operations and facilities. The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is ensuring this, and other environmental considerations are at the forefront of its training efforts.

Recognizing an opportunity to reduce its environmental footprint and to participate in The City’s 30-in-30 Water Efficiency Plan (to reduce Calgary’s per capita water consumption by 30 per cent from 2003 volumes by the year 2033), the Calgary Fire Department developed a system to capture and reuse the 150 million litres of water used during every year in training.

In essence, the Training Academy has ceased consumption and waste of potable water for its training. This first-of-its-kind system utilizes water from a man-made wetland and pond filtration system. Instead of spraying potable water all over the

facility’s grounds and watching it ice up, run down drains, or evaporate, contaminated fire run-off is retreated and reused.

The innovative nature of this project has even won a national environmental award in 2010 and was nominated for several other awards, including the Globe Awards for Excellence in Urban Sustainability and the Emerald Awards. Other organizations, like the Edmonton Fire Department, have also requested information about this system to see if they may be able to do something similar.

Improving overall environmental performance is rewarding, but an added benefit is when services to the citizens of Calgary are improved as a result.

“In addition to the Training Facility, we expanded our pump training program for crews by allowing them to train in selected remote locations,” said Patrick Choukalos, Calgary Fire Department environmental consultant. Pump training ensures that firefighters to learn how to control the amount of water that enters the fire hose from the hydrant to enable the them to put the fire out in the most effective and efficient way.

Last year, the CFD and the City of Calgary Parks worked on a cooperative effort that now sees firefighters pump water onto certain areas within specific City parks – essentially watering the trees, plants and grass as a by product of hydrant testing and running response drills.

Battalion Chief John Cherweniuk - a 29 year member of the Calgary Fire Department, championed the idea. “I knew this type of partnership could benefit our crews by allowing them to conduct their pump training in a more realistic setting, and in areas conveniently located in their response district,” said Chief Cherweniuk.

During hot, dry summer weather, some of the training practices like the one mentioned, allows water on areas that doesn't usually receive it and helps to reduce the risk of grass or bush fire.

“This training is good for parks and saves time, gas and emissions by letting crews stay closer to their stations to train. It also lessens our environmental footprint," adds Choukalos.

“This training is good for parks, and lessens our environmental footprint while allowing us to contribute directly to the communities we serve,” said Choukalos.


Related Calgary City News Blog posts:
Fire Department's Water Re-use Project wins national environmental award
Calgary Fire Department boasts new training facility, water reclamation project

City partnership successful at reducing youth crime, gang involvement

Today, The City released results from an independent study that confirm the Youth at Risk Development (YARD) program is reducing criminal activity and gang involvement among Calgary youth.

Launched in 2008, at-risk youth aged 10 to 17 are paired with social workers and police officers who provide mentorship and support.

“Knowing that our combined effort is making a difference in the lives of young Calgarians affirms that we are on the right path,” said Katie Black, Acting Director, Community & Neighbourhood Services.

The study sites a 41 per cent decrease in criminal charges among participants compared to youth not involved in the program.

“Investment in early intervention pays off tenfold, not only because the kids choose a path out of crime, but they also become productive adults. YARD works,” said Calgary Police Service Deputy Chief Trevor Daroux.

Visit Calgary.ca/YouthJustice to download a referral form for the program or view a full summary of the study results.

Skating at Bowness Park to open for Christmas

Lace up your skates - the Bowness Park lagoon will be open for skating on Christmas Day!

“We’re really pleased to be able to open the lagoon for skating this year, after being closed for the past two years due to the park’s redevelopment,” says Doug Marter, manager for Parks.

“There’s just something magical about this park and skating on the lagoon, especially at Christmas with the lights twinkling and the fire crackling.”

Along with skating, visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy new features. A new central pedestrian area offers visitors a place to sit and warm up by the new fire pits, as well as easier access to the lagoon.

Later in 2015, the stunning new teahouse will feature a restaurant and market aptly named Seasons of Bowness Park which will offer visitors delicious snacks, tasty meals, or a cup of coffee while watching the kids skate or simply taking in the remarkable view of the lagoon.

“The redevelopment of the park was designed to allow Calgarians better access to the water,” says Marter. “We’ve also reconfigured the trails and pathways, and moved the Parks depot away from the river bank so citizens can connect with water and nature while in the park.”

Creating a functional and enjoyable space to be used year-round as well as sustaining the ever-increasing number of visitors was an important priority, adds Marter.

“It’s been a long process,” says Councilor Ward Sutherland. “Especially with Mother Nature throwing us some challenges - the June 2013 flood and the September 2014 snow storm. But, we are excited to once again enjoy this great park and be part of the memories that future generations will treasure.”

NOTE: The concession building is still under construction and skate rentals are not available at this time. Please make sure to bring your skates and any other supplies needed.

Celebration in February

In February 2015, The City of Calgary and the Bowness Community Association will host a city-wide celebratory skating party, with brief speeches from The City of Calgary and Province of Alberta officials, as well as the local community.

All Calgarians will be invited to the skating party on February 7, so be sure to watch for details on the Bowness Park Redevelopment web page. Activities will include skating, a sleigh or wagon ride, local music, hot chocolate and refreshments (while supplies last). We look forward to seeing you there!

The City of Calgary Parks has five other outdoor skating rinks. Please visit calgary.ca for a complete list and the status of skating.

All three pedestrian bridges are now open

All three pedestrian bridges along the Elbow River destroyed in the June 2013 flood are now open for use.

Councillors Evan Woolley & Gian-Carlo Carra with Grade 4 students
from Rideau Park School at Rideau Park Bridge re-opening

Just 18 months after the flood, Mayor Naheed Nenshi was joined by hundreds of residents to cut the ribbon and officially open the Sandy Beach Bridge November 23. Councillors Evan Woolley and Gian-Carlo Carra cut the ribbon at the Rideau Park Bridge with a Grade 4 class from Rideau Park School on hand November 28 and the Riverdale Avenue Bridge opened at noon the same day.

“When we met with the communities after the flood to talk about replacing these bridges, they told us that these bridges were a vital link in their communities and that they really missed them,” says Project Manager Charmaine Buhler. “We are very proud to have restored these vital community links and we hope everyone enjoys using them again.”

Residents and commuters will be able to use the bridges for a very long time, adds Buhler.

“In addition to being designed to withstand future flooding, they are also built to last for 100 years," she explains.

Sandy Beach Bridge re-opening

Landscaping will be completed in the spring at all three bridges. Permanent panels commemorating the old bridges will also be completed in the spring and will be installed where temporary panels are currently located at the bridge entrances.

To view time lapse sequences of the major components of the re-building process, such as the installation of the towers, suspension cables, and bridge decks, and for other project information, please visit www.calgary.ca/elbowbridges.

The completion of the bridges marks an important milestone in The City's ongoing flood recovery efforts. There are 223 projects on the Municipal Infrastructure Recovery Program list. Of those projects, 99 are reported to be either complete or substantially complete (44 per cent). Another 83 projects (37 per cent) have design work underway or are under construction. A total of 38 projects (17 per cent) are in early planning stages and only three projects (two per cent) have not yet started. These either require further investigation or are scheduled for a later start date.

For a complete list of projects and an interactive map of project locations and status, please visit www.calgary.ca/floodrecovery.

Couple who met on bus take Calgary Transit to wedding

Calgary Transit offered a lift to one local couple with a special transit connection.



Nearly nine years ago, John Ross and Heather Cormack met on Route 21 out of Castleridge. After three months of exchanging smiles, Cormack finally sat down next to Ross.

“One day, the bus was really packed and he was the lone sitter on a double seat and he scooched over to make room for me and so I got up the courage and went and sat down next to him,” said Cormack.

From there, the couple would spend the 20-minute morning commute getting to know one another and Ross would even bring an extra cup of coffee for Cormack. They shared their first kiss at the Whitehorn CTrain Station where they would part ways in the morning and would continue that tradition for several years.

“Here we are two kids and a wedding to happen here right away and, yeah, I couldn’t be more happy,” said Cormack shortly before the couple’s June 21 wedding.

On their wedding day, Calgary Transit picked the couple and their bridal party in a fully decorated bus and took them to their ceremony.

“Calgary Transit to us is a huge part of what brought us together as a couple, as a family and where we are today so I thank them very, very much,” said Ross.

“If I could do it all over again, I surely would because it’s just been such a great part of my life ... and I’m really happy to include them (Calgary Transit) in today.”

2013 Flood Commemoration Ceremony

This morning, The City of Calgary recognized and remembered the devastating flood of 2013 with a public commemoration at the Municipal Building.

The event reflected upon the impact of the flood on Calgarians and our city and honoured the community spirit and resiliency of our community.



It included a blessing from Leonard Basteen, Elder from the Piikani Nation and the Blackfoot Confederation; unveiling of the 2013 Flood Commemorative Display; a video message from The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister; and remarks from The Honourable Dave Hancock, Premier of Alberta, His Worship Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary, and Bruce Burrell, Director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency and Calgary Fire Chief.

“Last year's floods exemplified the compassion, resilience, and strength of Albertans as they rallied to help each other in a time of need, “said Premier Dave Hanock. “There are countless stories of neighbours helping neighbours, first responders risking their lives to bring people to safety and thousands of volunteers helping with the clean-up. Albertans demonstrated the true strength of this province: the heart of its people.”

Mayor Nenshi unveiled a 2013 Flood Commemorative Display, which included a plaque and pair of bronzed boots that are permanently housed in the Municipal Building’s Atrium for public viewing. The unveiling also included the Children’s Flood Art Display, which is showcased in various locations around the city for one month, including the Wall of Windows at City Hall Station, the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts, the Municipal Building’s Atrium and available online at Calgary.ca/floodart.

“Our city and citizens experienced a devastating flood that we will never forget, “said Mayor Nenshi. “We come together today to remember how the flood affected us in both tangible and intangible ways. But, more important, we recall the incredible resilience and community spirit shown by all Calgarians this time last year. With the help of the entire community and all orders of government, we were, and continue to be, stronger than ever.”

Tomorrow is Neighbour Day, an opportunity for Calgarians to celebrate community spirit. Visit The City of Calgary’s Neighbour Day Facebook event page to view events happening around Calgary and visit Calgary.ca/neighbourday for more information on what you can do. Calgarians are encouraged to share pictures on Twitter or Instagram using #yycNeighbourDay.

For more information on flood recovery, flood preparation and a look back at 2013, visit calgary.ca/floodinfo.

Barb Scott Park opens with tributes to its namesake

Noon on June 13 officially marked the opening of the Beltline’s newest greenspace, Barb Scott Park, located on 12th Avenue and 9 Street S.W. Not even the rain kept the nearly 200 community members away from attending the opening and witnessing the dedication to the long-serving late Alderman whom the park is named after.

Beltline Communities President Rob Taylor said the park’s design was community-driven from the beginning, and was sketched out on a napkin by a local group working with their alderman. Nearly a decade later, the community's dream has finally come to fruition.

Project manager for the park development Michelle Reid said, “The community input was essential for the park development, and their aspects were integrated in to the final design of green space; which is ultimately very flexible for citizens.”

Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Councillor Evan Woolley, Parks Director Anne Charlton, and Rob Taylor officially declared Barb Scott Park open with a simple ribbon cutting ceremony and a selfie in front of the park's anchor attraction, an interactive public art sculpture dubbed, "Chinook Arc."

Later that evening, a community celebration for the new park and the official unveiling of Chinook Arc took place from 8-11 p.m.

The event included a number of activities including a foosball and ping pong table, pedal powered DJ booth and bubble machines. Artists from Creative Machines, the creators of Chinook Arc, shared their story about the sculpture, explaining how it interacts with movement and colours.

Local jazz musicians, the Lorna MacLachlan Quintet, played a special musical composition created for the event. This was followed by a lantern parade.

For more photos, see our photo album on Flickr. Follow the Chinook Arc on Twitter @Chinook_Arc and post your own selfie with the sculpture using the hashtag #chinookarc or by @ mentioning the sculpture on Twitter or Instagram.

Looking for things to do this Father’s Day?

The City of Calgary has a variety of events and activities for the whole family this Father’s Day weekend. Come out and enjoy as we celebrate fathers, summer, nature and the whole family.

Parks Fest at Ralph Klein Park

This Sunday isn’t just Father’s Day, it’s also Parks Fest. The City of Calgary Parks invites Calgarians to bring dad along and help celebrate our great City parks during a day of free, fun-filled activities at Ralph Klein Park.

Face-painters will transform the kids roaming the park into their favourite creatures of the wild. Visitors can also create some nature-inspired art - a perfect unique gift for dad.

Other activities include a hands-on pond dip that will have everyone face-to-face with the aquatic creatures that call the wetland home. Local children’s entertainer, Peter Puffin, will lead a sing-a-long or two.

Where: Ralph Klein Park
When: June 15, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Walk with Wildlife

This weekend is also an opportunity for families to get out and join a guided walk of one of our City parks as a part of Park’s Walk with Wildlife program. The guided walks give Calgarians a chance to learn more about the local natural environment from one of our environmental educators. This weekend we are hosting three different walks in three different parks.

Saturday, June 14:

• Griffith Woods Park from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (meet at the parking lot at the south end/bottom of Discovery Ridge Link S.W.)
• Nose Creek/Confluence Park from 2 p.m. to 3:30 pm. (meet at Beddington Boulevard and Beddington Trail parking lot)

Sunday, June 15:

• Ralph Klein Park from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (meet in the Environmental Education and Ethics Centre)

South Calgary Community Summer Kick-off

This Father’s Day come out to South Glenmore Park with the family and help us kick off the summer! The event is free and activities for the whole family include recreation demonstrations, games, prizes, and refreshments. Information will also be available on many of the opportunities The City of Calgary has for kids, adults and families this summer.

Where: South Glenmore Park, Sailing School
When: June 15, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Families golf for free at Richmond Green

Bring Dad, and the whole family, down for a free round of golf at Richmond Green Golf Course on June 15. Located in southwest Calgary, Richmond Green hosts an easy to play nine-hole par three course the whole family can enjoy.

Families can also "pay it forward" by making a donation to the Kids on Course junior/family subsidy program when they check in at the clubhouse. Last year, Kids on Course helped more than 500 kids experience a game that gets them outdoors, while helping them learn valuable life skills such as patience, honour and integrity.
Book a tee time up to four days in advance by phone, online or via our new golf app.

Spray parks opening for wet n’ wild fun in the sun

Many of our City spray parks and wading pools are opening this weekend for the summer. These parks and pools provide Calgarians some of the best spots to cool off on a hot day and a chance to get out and enjoy the sunshine! Visit us here to find a location near you.

Daisies for Dad 

For those who want to remember their dad on Father’s Day, The City of Calgary Cemeteries is giving away free daisies that can be placed at any City of Calgary Cemetery. Pick up a flower prior to Father's Day at the Queen's Park Cemetery administration office at 3219 4 St. N.W. during office hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or on the Father's Day weekend from a vase in front of the administration office building.

Tree seedlings to all Calgary Grade 1 students today on Arbor Day

Arbor Day celebrates the importance of our trees and green spaces. It is the longest running civic greening project in Calgary.

The celebration of Arbor Day is a joint program between The City of Calgary, the Calgary Board of Education, Catholic School District, and the Landscape and Nursery Trade Association.

On this day, all Grade 1 students in Calgary schools received a tree seedling to be taken home and planted on private property.

The ceremonial Arbor Day tree is planted at Valley View School.

Each year, a different Calgary elementary school is awarded the honour of hosting The City’s official Arbor Day ceremony and a ceremonial tree is planted on the school grounds. The 2014 school recipient is Valley View School. Valley View’s Arbor Day theme is "We who plant a tree, plant a future of hope."

At the ceremony, speakers from The City, Calgary Board of Education, Alberta Government, Trees Canada and Trees Company Ltd., all spoke about the importance of trees and green spaces and the benefit they have now and for future generations.

For more information on Arbor Day in Calgary visit calgary.ca.

City Hall School celebrates 10,000 student milestone

Today, City Hall School celebrated the 10,000 students who have taken part in the program since it began in January 2000.



It allows teachers to move their classrooms to the Municipal Building for a week-long, custom designed learning experience where students meet with elected officials and work alongside City employees.

“Students get an inside look at how The City works and how they can be involved in local government,” says Jody Danchuk, City Hall School Coordinator.

Eight-year-old Milan, a student at Escuela Canyon Meadows School was among the Grade three/four split class, honoured at today’s event.

“I think it’s good because people can learn about art, Calgary and history. They can see the old city hall, learn about how the Mayor and Council make decisions, and learn about leadership,” she said.

Milan's teacher, Cecilia Gutiérrez, says she appreciates how City Hall School teaches students to be great citizens who contribute to their communities.

“This is an amazing program. The teachers here support us so much. Students know how blessed we are to live here. They understand the chances and opportunities we have in this city,” added Gutiérrez.

For more information on City Hall School, please visit calgary.ca.

New plaza adds to Landscape of Memory on Memorial Drive

Calgarians will soon be able to enjoy Calgary’s newest Landscape of Memory community hub along the Memorial Drive corridor. This fall (2014), The City will complete work on a new plaza and park space that features benches, bicycle racks, new trees and vegetation, low level lighting, and an art sculpture to help connect Calgarians to the Bow River.

Artist's rendering of Parkdale Plaza

“People enjoy using the Memorial Drive corridor for a variety of different reasons already -- commuting, walking, running, resting -- we wanted to create a space that enhances people’s experience in the park and adds more meaning and vibrancy to the area,” says Doug Marter, Planning and Development Manager, Parks.

Transforming open space in Parkdale

The plaza will be located at the end of 34A Street in the community of Parkdale. It is the second Landscape of Memory community hub (after Poppy Plaza) that will transform an open space along the corridor into a vibrant public space.

“This plaza will be a great enhancement to the park,” says Marter. “Right now, other than a few benches in the area, there’s no place that offers people a place to sit and enjoy the space. The new plaza will not only give people a place to sit, but take in the views and reflect, and even offer a unique view of The City’s stormwater system through the integrated art sculpture.”

Art sculpture connects Calgarians to Bow river

Part of the plaza will include an integrated art sculpture that will give plaza visitors a unique view of The City’s stormwater system and its impact on the health of our rivers. The artist, Brian Tolle, and local architect, Marc Boutin shared their visions for the plaza and the sculpture in the following video.



To find out more about the plaza and get construction updates, visit calgary.ca/parkdaleplaza.