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Ongoing Project Links
Oakridge Crossing Co-op redevelopment project Learn more… *Updates from Calgary Planning Commission*
SW Ring Road updates and schedule Learn more…
Taza Development Information (TsuuT’ina Development) Taza Website
Oakridge Seniors Association – Check out what is happening
COVID-19 Shuts Down Oakridge Community Centre
The Oakridge Arena and Community Centre have been shut down, effective March 17th, following today’s decision by the Premier of Alberta to declare a State of Emergency because of the increasingly rapid spread of COVID-19.
Oakridge residents will not be able to access either the arena or the centre until the State of Emergency has been lifted. Oakridge Community Association staff will “spring clean” the entire building and will continue with the process of removing the ice from the arena, as it would normally do this time of year.
Also, as a result of the declaration, any gatherings of more than 50 people need to be cancelled immediately. Restaurants and pubs, like the Point and Feather, can remain open, but are limited to either 50 people or half their capacity, whichever is lower.
The State of Emergency does not affect groceries stores and Premier Kenney used today’s announcement to remind Albertans to not hoard groceries over this time, as the lack of availability of products causes inconveniences to your neighbours.
The Oakridge Co-Op has taken the additional step of offering a Calgary Co-Op Care Package containing food essentials free of charge to anyone required to be quarantined as directed by a public health agency. These packages contain non-perishable food items, such as canned meat, pasta sauce and juice.
These packages are available until April 15th and will be delivered to those affected in the community. To request a package, contact memberengagement@calgarycoop.com, and provide your name, address, phone number, and timing of your quarantine.
There are a number of sites that are providing ongoing information on COVID-19, which we have listed below:
https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/
https://www.calgary.ca/citycouncil/ward-11/Pages/News/COVID-19.aspx
The CSSD has stopped the closure consideration process for St Gerard School, the designated CCSD french immersion school for Oakridge. It will be fully operational for the 2020-2021 school year and is accepting registration for all Grade levels.
City Planning and Civic Affairs
2020 is likely to have several topics of interest to Oakridge Community Association (OCA) Members and Residents. Our intention is to try & keep you advised of any key issues that might affect you and any meetings or updates we obtain from the City or other Stakeholders (Ex. Co-op, Tsuu t’ina Nation, Other Community Associations, etc). We may also want to obtain some feedback from members and residents on these issues via surveys, community meetings or other communication methods. Terry Kemp and Hugh Stewart are your new VPs for Civic Affairs and we have recently split responsibilities so that we can efficiently support you from a community perspective.
Please note however many issues, especially those not related to the Community Association or of a personal nature, are best dealt with through your Ward 11 Councillor, Jeromy Farkas.
We look forward to an exciting and busy 2020, so expect to hear from us on Planning and Civic Affairs in the next issue of the Echo.
Volunteers needed!
We are investigating the potential of an Oakridge Community Garden for 2020. We are in need of volunteers who can assist with developing a plan consistent with the City of Calgary guidelines and acceptable to the OCA board.
If you are interested and willing to volunteer and contribute to this initiative, please contact hughrstewart@gmail.com no later than Sunday 23 Feb 2020.
Residential Traffic Safety Unit
Residential Traffic Safety Unit Over the last three years the Calgary Police Service has developed a new unit to specifically address Residential Traffic Safety. This unit has been presenting to each Ward in the City to both provide and to solicit information on “problem areas” throughout the City to allow more specific and targeted visibility and enforcement. This unit is specifically interested in Residential TRAFFIC issues.
The strategy has been:
• Utilize citizen feedback to inform operational response
• Focus on playground zones, pedestrian rich locations and other high risk locations identified through collision data analysis
• Emphasize public awareness and education, and facilitate citizen engagement through Ward Traffic Safety Meetings and to work with City partners to further support traffic calming measures outside enforcement
IF YOU HAVE A TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERN: One of the key tools to help Calgary Police Service monitor and track these issues is the Traffic Service Request (TSR). Go to www.calgarypolice.ca, scroll down and click on “Report a Traffic Concern”
For a more detailed steps see How to complete a Traffic Service Request
H!p – ASSISTING SENIORS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Seniors are valued members of our society. They are the carriers of history who have shared their knowledge and wisdom and who have helped to lay the foundations of modern society. They are often beloved members of our family—our grandmothers and grandfathers, our aunts and uncles, our parents, and other relatives. They are our former teachers and sports coaches. They are our neighbors and friends. They are retirees and veterans who dedicated themselves, through hard work and military service, to help ensure freedom, liberty, and a promising outlook for future generations.
The significance of supporting seniors in your community extends beyond an expression of kindness. The Celebrate Spring event, coordinated by h!p in collaboration with Bow Cliff Seniors, not only expresses heartfelt appreciation for our elderly citizens, but is an important form of outreach that engages seniors in an impactful way. Help h!p to Celebrate Spring by donating a treat, homemade craft, or handwritten card, which will be passed on to a senior as a personalized expression of gratitude and friendship. This simple gesture fosters important social ties and helps to build trust, connection, and participation in the senior population with their surrounding community. Building meaningful connections has been proven to stimulate happiness and health—essential elements for all of us to live a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle.
There are many ways to reach out, assist, and show your appreciation and respect toward seniors, not only through designated agencies and coordinated activities, but through personal acts of support toward an elderly neighbor or friend. It can be as simple as volunteering to shovel snow from their driveway or offering a helping hand with challenging yard work. It can be walking their dog during the winter months or stopping by for a friendly visit and a cup of tea. You can also contribute to the elderly community while doing something that you love. For example, if you play the piano or violin, you can reach out to local nursing homes about opportunities to play at a residence for a special occasion or on a regular basis. By finding a way to assist seniors in your community, you may be able to make a valuable difference in a person’s life.
H!p encourages you to show support and appreciation of seniors by taking part in our Celebrate Spring event. Contact h!p to find out more on how you can get involved at hip@shaw.ca. H!p also wants to hear about how you engage with elders in your community and express gratitude, respect, and consideration toward these valued members of our society. Send us a piece of cherished life advice or a special anecdote you learned from an elder. And don’t forget to post your thoughts on the h!p Facebook page!
Written for h!p by Jackie Larkin
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