COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION HAPPENINGS

Our Lego Club is back!
Open to ages 6-12 on Fridays from 4:30-6:00pm until March 25!

Are you a Springbank group?  
Rent our sign for only $50/week!

We are now offering our memberships for 2023 FREE of charge.
Signup up TODAY!

ROCKY VIEW COUNTY UPDATES

Fire Update

West Rocky View is not under any fire ban or advisory at this moment - for more information.

Council Resolution Tracker 

More information on the council’s resolution tracker.

Bingham Crossing & Costco

Costco has been issued a Development Permit by Rocky View County, subject to Costco satisfying a set of conditions.  The Development Permit has been appealed and this appeal will be heard by the Subdivision Development and Appeal Board (SDAB) on March 30, 2023. 

Drawings related to the Costco application.

The Notice of Decision which lists conditions.

Our Board recognizes that the community's views on this application are mixed. As always, the Springbank Community Association (SCA) remains focussed on process and we would like to point out that the process through which this approval was granted is somewhat unique. 

• The nature of this approval, with its lengthy list of “prior to release conditions”, is evidence that RVC administration believes the applicant has not satisfied the requirements of the approved Master Site Development Plan. 
  
  
• Unfortunately, the approval means that, should Costco satisfy administration's conditions, there will be no public review and discussion of the final set of drawings. 
  
  
• In this instance, we have to effectively trust that RVC administration will hold Costo to the spirit of the original Bingham Crossing Master Site Development Plan and Conceptual Scheme. 
  
  
• This has created a situation where the appeal is based on some set of future drawings that are acceptable to administration. This varies from a typical approval in which the drawings would be effectively finalized.

In our view, there appear to be two major concerns about the approval:

1. Aesthetics: We have encouraged RVC administration (repeatedly) to uphold the standards approved in the Master Site Development Plan, which includes a high level of architectural control.
2. Traffic: We will request that Administration and / or Subdivision Development and Appeal Board (SDAB) require a permanent condition that Costco be responsible to remedy traffic issues in a timely manner.

What YOU can do:

For those interested in commenting on Costco, we anticipate that there will be an appeal to the approval of the Development Permit. Residents have an opportunity to participate in the SDAB hearing by submitting comments or presenting in person. Read for more information on the SDAB.

Submissions can be made to sdab@rockyview.ca.  Please refer to PRDP20220517.

If you have questions, we encourage residents to contact the RVC planner responsible:  Jacqueline Targett

If you want to speak to someone at the SCA about our position, please email planning@springbankcommunity.com

Changes to the Springbank Recycling Depot

On March 14, Administration presented a report to Council regarding the Springbank Recycling Depot.  Residents have expressed frustration about access at the site and restrictive hours of operation and we have elevated these concerns to Administration. 

Read the presentation to Council.  Administration is recommending “Option 1” which would include operational / management changes to the site, but leave the site & configuration the same. 

Note that the site is leased by the County, but owned by the adjacent landowner (approved Counselling /Treatment Centre)

Community Centre

We have expressed our concerns to RVC that the Phase 1 presented to Council needs more work and input from the community.  We are working to establish a small working group to improve on the concept presented to Council so that it is more functional for our community.  Read the report presented to Council.

If you are passionate about getting this facility “right for Springbank”, please email our President.

Highway 8 Corridor

On March 13, Council held a public hearing on a proposed rezoning at Camp Hope (see map)

Alberta Environment and Parks owns the land, which is leased by Camp Hope.

Read the Administration report.

The proposal is for a 7500 square foot kitchen / dining facility. 

Neighbors have raised concerns that this building will be set near to the river and is at risk of flooding. Existing flood maps for the area are decades old. 

Springbank Area Structure Plans

No updates.  Follow along here to check progress.

PROVINCIAL PROJECTS

 SR1

We have repeatedly asked Alberta Transportation for updates on SR1.  After many unsuccessful attempts, they finally responded with the following (highlighting for effect):

• We asked for updates similar to the West Ring Road (some photos & explanation of the work). They said:
  
  
  • Thank you for your patience. The Springbank Reservoir Project (SR1) team does not have sufficient resources to provide an update similar to the West Calgary Ring Road, and will continue to share information via project emails and the project website. Your comments regarding photos and general updates are noted and will be shared with the project team for awareness.
    
    
• We asked about construction & construction vehicles on Highway 22: They said:
  • Information related to ongoing works and impacts to the travelling public will be communicated over the course of the project, as it becomes known. This information will continue to be shared via the website, emails, and through 511 Alberta as appropriate. The Springbank Community Association is welcome to share the project website and direct residents to the site to receive accurate information regarding this project. [SCA Note: No updates on construction have been provided at all since construction began - the only communications were to do with burning]
    
    
•  We asked about the location of air quality monitoring stations. They said:
  • Air quality data collection is ongoing as part of the construction of this project and are situated around the perimeter of the project. Information on the exact location of data collectors is not being shared with the public at this time to prevent tampering of equipment.

Meanwhile, AEP presented to the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board and sent a follow-up email to RVC, which includes contacts to the various agencies responsible for SR1.  See below:

Thank you for following up and for the interest in the Springbank project. I know the project has received a high degree of interest and concern from the local Springbank community. To help clarify roles on the project under the new government organizational structure, the following Ministries have key responsibilities.

Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors : project proponent, lead on the regulatory approval process, and on construction of the infrastructure.

For enquiries on construction or the project as a whole:  SR1.communityliaison@gov.ab.ca

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas : lead on land use planning for the reservoir lands.

For enquiries on land use planning:  SR1LandUse@gov.ab.ca , or feel free to reach out to me directly

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation: water infrastructure operator and manager. They will take ownership over the project when construction is complete.

Additional groups within these and other ministries such as Alberta Forestry, Parks and Tourism have additional responsibilities including for fish and wildlife management, rangeland/grazing management, recreation, environmental monitoring, etc.

The government project website contains information on the project as a whole, but not up to date information on construction activities. This background information will be of interest to those looking to understand what the project is.

The prime construction contractor, Vinci, is creating a new webpage that will be updated regularly on construction activities. This hasn’t been launched yet, but I understand it will be in the near future. Currently, the webpage only speaks to being awarded the contract.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, a senior manager has been hired to work with Alberta Transportation on construction activities and will continue to work with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation once the project is operational. This position’s responsibilities will include being a community liaison. This position will be filled at the end of the month, and will be your key contact for updates on construction and operations.

 Bow River Dam

No updates this month. 

You can find more information on the Bow River Reservoir Options initiative, including feasibility study updates and engagement opportunities.

Ring Road

No updates this month.

ROCKY VIEW SCHOOLS

Springbank High School

The Springbank Robotics Team is bound for Worlds!

Last weekend, the FIRST Robotics Provincials were held in Red Deer with one of the teams performing well and other coming away with an outstanding achievement… an invitation to the FIRST World Championships in Houston, Texas. The team, comprised of Grade 10-11 students won both the competition and the Inspire Award (FIRST’s more prestigious award) alongside another alliance team. Most of the team members have only been in robotics for two (2) years so this is an amazing accomplishment for all of them. The team also won the Think Award recognizing their community outreach, robot design, and engineering journey.

None of this could have happened without the support of the SCHS’s robotics teacher, Mr. Mathew, for all of the late nights and early mornings that he spent with the team building. The team wanted to thank Heidi Otteson for her countless hours planning for the competition and supervising the team. The team also wanted to say a special thank you to Tridyne Projects, their sponsor, for their mentorship and generous donation to the team. The team is unbelievably excited for the opportunity to compete at World’s.

This is the first time the Springbank Robotics Team has performed this well at Provincials, much less made it to Worlds and they are very proud of the hard work they put in this year!  Lastly, they would like to request the help of the community though bottle donations to assist them in the fundraising to go to Huston. When you drop your bottles off at the Springbank Bottle Depot (located at #12, 110 Commercial Drive) if you could please consider donating any portion of your recyclables to the team that would be invaluable to them.

Congratulations to the team and go Phoenix! 

Jordan Inverarity ~ Springbank High School student and board member

  ROCKY VIEW SCHOOLS TRUSTEE UPDATE
JUDI HUNTER, WARD 5

Two of George McDougall High School's creative writing students joined the ranks of published authors this week as their recent works are now available on Amazon!

Grade 10 student Kaylee Yu and Grade 11 student Sadie Tranter said it was surreal to have an assignment they began in their creative writing class at George McDougall progress to this point.

The Stoney Nakoda First Nation in southwestern Alberta is using the written word as a way to preserve its traditional oral language. Stoney is being taught to the 1,500 students on the First Nation, starting off a few years ago with a basic textbook.

An advanced textbook and dictionary were introduced Monday to be used for teaching the language in school, along with a podcast where elders tell stories.

I attended the “Threads of Culture” webinar January 25 and 26 sponsored by Saskatoon Open Door Society.  It took the form of cultural conversations.  A variety of speakers shared how their perception of other cultures change when the person actually lived in that other culture. There was a realization that we often receive our perspectives of other cultures from biases that formed in the culture in which we live. 

The webinar shared histories of stories and dance from other cultures and explored the importance of stories and dance in culture. The webinar explored the reasons for leaving one’s country and the adjustments that are made as they create a new home in Canada.

The Alberta government produce the following infograph. This demographic forecast has many implications for the school system but society as well.  4 out of 5 Albertans will live in the Calgary – Edmonton corridor by 2046. 

The Board approved a locally developed course French 15.  It is a preparatory course, intended to improve French fluency.

As of Jan. 20, 2023, the number of students enrolled in RVS schools is 27,825, an increase of 213 since Sept. 30, 2022. This brings the total number of new students joining RVS for the current school year to 1,203. 

Trustees approved spending a maximum of $1.84 million to install an artificial turf field at the junior/senior school currently under construction in Langdon.

Trustees directed Superintendent of Schools to develop an administrative procedure outlining the parameters, process and approvals involved in third parties operating before- and after-school (B&AS) programs in RVS schools.

Finding space for B&AS programs in RVS’ already over-utilized schools is a challenge. The focus for RVS will remain on the education of students. Where flexible space is available and practical then a B&AS program could be considered.

The Alberta government has just announced that new schools will be in this spring's budget.  Hopefully RVS will be a recipient.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHAPS and CHINOOKS MOMENT

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we recognize the pioneer women of Springbank. The Methodist Ladies Aid, later called U.C.W., was one group of the United Church which did so much for the community. 

Chaps and Chinooks, Volume I, p. 114.

Eva Wills writes about an eventful meeting in 1903 which her mother, Georgina Henning hosted.

            My mother, Mrs. George Henning, was a member of the Ladies Aid of the Union Church when she came to Alberta in 1900. In October of 1903, it was her turn to have the meeting, so she cleaned house and got dinner ready for the noon meal.

            I was born that night.

            Our good neighbor, Mrs. Frayn was looking after us.

            There was no way to spread the news so of course, the members came as usual. Dinner was ready so Mrs. Frayn put it on the table and after the ladies went on with their meeting. I was given a silver mug which I still have.

            So you might say I’ve been a member of the Springbank Ladies Aid or U.C.W. as we call it today, since the day I was born.

Chaps and Chinooks, Volume I, p. 118.

CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH
PARENT PRESENTATION

March 23
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Springbank High School

Evidence-based strategies and tools to help you help your children cope with and manage anxiety, depression and trauma.

RSVP required in advance - REGISTER NOW

Christine has worked extensively in the field of anxiety, both as a researcher and aclinician. She completed her coursework and clinical training in the PhD program in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia and her research focuses on exploring parents’ process of seeking and accessing psychological treatment for their children with anxiety.

Mental Health Topics:  Low mood/depression, anxiety disorders, perfectionism, distress intolerance, obsessive compulsive disorder, Trauma, emotional literacy and emotional regulation.

BRAGG CREEK CORNER

Program Guide

CONNECTIONS WITH COCHRANE

Program Guide

RING ROAD UPDATE

West Ring Road Updates

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Springbank Community Association
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