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Welcome to October's edition of the Braeside Bulletin! With fall now upon us, the beauty in Braeside is all about those incredible fall colours. Our hope is that you are enjoying the changing season and that you and your families have fully settled in after the summer season.
Here's what's happening ...
Special General Meeting: Update of BCA bylaws
On Wednesday the 25th the BCA held a Special General Meeting (SGM) to propose an update to our bylaws. With the formation of our new Governance Committee, this fall was an ideal time to address some of the challenging or unclear bylaw sections and have updates in place in time for our winter AGM. We are so grateful for all the members who took time to attend our meeting and listen to our ideas. We're excited to share the proposed bylaw updates were passed unanimously by the members in attendance. While the new bylaws are not formally in effect until approved by Service Alberta, some of the major changes include:
Formation of a Nomination Committee to oversee recruitment, onboarding, and retention of board directors
Changes to membership structure to allow for every adult member to hold a voting membership, instead of having one per household
Thirty (30) day probationary period before a new member votes at a Membership meeting.
The BCA board is already starting to work on next steps for implementing these changes in a transparent and accessible way. We are always looking for input from members- if you're a policy lover and interested in getting involved, reach out to our Governance Lead, Jennifer Burgess, at jennifer@braesideyyc.ca.
Following the SGM, we began sharing the results from our Community Survey, as well as some of our intended upcoming priorities. The Board meets on Thursday, October 3rd for a dedicated planning session. Please watch for a special members email in the coming weeks about what transpires from this important & vital conversation.
Here's a little sneak peak of what we shared - and if you stop by the BCA, you can see some of the preliminary ideas that have already become part of the discussion. The survey, and some of the incredible work that is already underway, will serve as a beacon for what's coming next.
Thank you so much to those of you that participated in the survey!
Back to School Bash - Thank you Boston Pizza!
A huge thank you to Boston Pizza for sponsoring our Back to School Bash! Their support made it a fantastic event—though we’re not sure who had more fun, the kids or Gail, our Operations Manager. She took charge of the karaoke and wouldn’t give up the mic! We’re crossing our fingers that she doesn’t take her act on the road because we really need her at the BCA. All in all, not a bad way to kick off the school year!
Community Plant Donation Wraps Up Garden Bed Project for the Year
We're happy to share the success of our first-ever community plant donation event, held on September 21. We had a wonderful turnout, with 10 generous community members donating 50 plants from 15 different varieties to help bring our two new garden beds to life. A special thank you goes out to Brenda R., Brenda B., Brenda S., Janice J., Melanie, Amanda N., and Jim J. for their wonderful contributions.
Their donated plants included lilies, asters, hostas, elephant ears, irises, brown-eyed Susans, hens and chicks, narcissus, potentillas, and more— we had so many we could barely keep track!
A special thank you to Doug G., Matt S., Brenda R., and Amanda N. for their expert hole digging and Brenda S. for the placement expertise. We can’t wait to see how everything blooms in the spring!
Speaking of spring, plans for the second bed, which will feature native pollinator plants, are nearly complete, thanks to the hard work of Karen, Brenda, and Dawn. Planting is set for next year.
We hold monthly meetings and will be starting a new round of projects for next year in November.
If you'd like to get involved, you can contact the garden committee at garden@braesideyyc.ca
It's that time of year—time to renew your Braeside Community Association membership!
Did you know that being a member of the BCA comes with perks? This month (and for those of you reading this bulletin who are active members!), Baker & Spice, one of our most beloved Fresh Food Friday Vendors, is offering a free pie with the purchase of any cake. Tell them Jenny sent you :) You'll also get 10% off your first order at Hungry Thaiger, 10% off Mini Titans Camps and Programming and 10% off food at Boston Pizza (Oakridge Location only). But most importantly, your membership contribution helps support maintaining our ice rink, buildings and make events like the Stampede BBQ, Halloween, Christmas, and Easter celebrations possible—all at no extra cost to you. Membership costs just $25 for families and businesses, and $15 for seniors or individuals. Please renew today and continue making a difference in our community!
*And for those of you that haven't yet renewed your membership, and are still on this list, soon this incredible source of Braeside information will vanish from your inbox! Please make sure to renew today to ensure you are kept in the loop.
Park Updates: Nurturing Green Spaces for All
In the fall of 2022, the Parks Committee was formed in response to the City Parks Department’s plan to remove four Braeside playgrounds, replace two, and "re-imagine" the other two spaces.
Due to budget constraints, the Parks Department is unable to replace, inspect, and maintain all 440 aging playgrounds throughout Calgary. As part of a new engagement process, the City posted sandwich boards detailing their plan to remove the two parks on Bradbury Drive and Brackenridge Road. A QR code on the boards linked to a survey where residents were asked for input on what they would like to see instead of playgrounds—options included items like a concrete ping pong table, games painted on concrete, a chair swing, a bench, or a picnic table. Residents were encouraged to choose one option for each of the two parks.
This process sparked public consultation, leading to the creation of the BCA Parks Committee.
Over the next two years, the committee worked closely with the Parks Department and the Braeside community to compile a wish list of amenities for the two empty spaces. Meanwhile, the Parks Department contracted out the design of two new, larger playgrounds to replace the existing ones at Bracebridge Crescent and Braeside Drive. The Parks Committee was asked to choose between two designs for each playground, and six months later, the new playgrounds were constructed.
Once the playgrounds were finalized, the BCA Parks Committee spent the better part of last year gathering community ideas and creating a plan that aligned with the City’s budget and the allowable items for the two new park builds on Bradbury Drive and Brackenridge Road. We aimed to include something for every age and ability, though playground structures could not be part of the design. As of April 2024, the City Parks Department had approved the plans and sent them out for tender.
Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of September. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate so the project can be completed before the snow flies. We will keep the community updated as construction progresses.
These are the plans for the parks on Bradbury Drive and Brackenridge Road:
If you are interested in seeing what we are all about, along with our future plans, the next Parks Committee meeting is on Thursday, October 10 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM at the Braeside Community Centre.
Please email parks@braesideyyc.ca if you'd like to attend. Your contact information is important in case there are any last-minute changes to the meeting location or cancellations.
Beautiful Braeside Calendar Competition
Time is ticking, but there’s still a chance to showcase your talent in our #BeautifulBraeside summer photo campaign! We’re on the lookout for images that capture the beauty of Braeside across all seasons—it is a calendar, after all! We’d love to see what makes Braeside beautiful to you.
By sending in your photos, you’re giving us permission to feature them (with full credit to you, of course!). The winning photos, chosen by a community vote, will be featured in our 2025 Braeside calendar.
The deadline to submit is October 11, so grab your camera and capture something amazing before it’s too late!
Boo’s, Brews & Scary-Oake—Join Us for a Spooktacular Evening!
Mark your calendars for October 25 from 6-9pm, when Braeside’s Halloween event promises to be a howling good time for the whole family! Registered members get in free, and for just $5, non-members can join the frightful fun too. Show off your spooktacular costume in our frightful contest, and unleash your inner monster with a chilling performance in Scary-Oake!
Save those seeds!
We’re pleased to announce that West Coast Seeds is officially sponsoring our regional seed bank! What began as a Braeside project has grown like a well-watered zucchini, with neighbours from Southwood, Somerset, and Woodcreek joining in. If you have seeds to share or are curious about what’s sprouting in other backyards, feel free to reach out to matt@braesideyyc.ca
Now’s the perfect time to get those tulips, daffodils, and crocuses in the ground! Plant them now for a great splash of colour in the spring. Give your perennials and shrubs a little TLC by trimming them back to keep them strong and healthy throughout the winter. Wrap any delicate plants in burlap—it’s like giving them a cozy winter coat to keep Jack Frost at bay!
Don’t forget to pick up your free mulch at the Community Centre, generously donated by Bartlett Tree Services, and put those beds to rest for the colder months.
Volunteer Appreciation: Doug's Dedication: The Man Behind Braeside's Pristine Rink
As the colder months creep closer and most of us settle in with a cozy blanket or a hot drink, one dedicated Braeside volunteer is already gearing up to brave the winter elements and get our rink in tip-top shape. Doug G. is unfazed by dropping temperatures and takes it all in stride.
A proud resident for the past four years, Doug has spent countless hours keeping our ice looking nice. From battling stubborn hoses that freeze faster than a popsicle to mastering the art of snow shoveling in blizzards, Doug tackles it all with a smile. His nightly ritual involves building and flooding the ice, clearing snow, and wrestling with drainage issues that would make anyone else run for the hills. Thank you Doug, for all that you do!
But even ice masters need a break! We're inviting all community members to step up and join something BIG... the Braeside Ice Guardians! Winter is long, and there's plenty of time for everyone to lend a hand. If you're interested, please drop Doug a line at rink@braesideyyc.ca
Hey, Neighbour! Want to Help Out?
Volunteering with the Community Association is a great way to share your skills and make a real difference right here in Braeside! Whether it’s planning events, helping out at the rink, or just lending a hand with odd projects that pop up, every bit counts.
If you don’t have time to volunteer, you can still make a difference by supporting our local Veterans Food Bank with non-perishable items. You can also contribute to community programs and events by donating bottles through Skip the Depot year-round. Every contribution counts and makes a real difference.
Good Food Box: Sign up for a monthly Good Food Box and enjoy your affordable fruit and veg, all at a price that's as sweet as the produce inside. Order by October 14 by emailing gfb@braesideyyc.ca. Small box (20-25lbs) $30, Medium box (25-30lbs) $35, Large box (35-40lbs) $40. Pick up on October 23.
Braeside Youth Group Needs You! (Yes, YOU!!)
Keeping our youth involved is key to a lively, connected community—and it’s more fun than staring at your phone all day! Whether it’s drop-in soccer, helping out with community projects, or just showing up to hang out, we want you to join in. Not only will you make friends (yes, real ones, not just online), but you’ll also gain some skills like teamwork and leadership. Curious? Chat with Matt: matt@braesideyyc.ca
Engage Calgary - Phase 4
The City of Calgary is updating plans that will shape the Calgary of the future and make sure our city keeps on being a great place to live. They want to hear from us. Please check out their website and get involved by attending one of their in-person or virtual webinars. The latest phase is about helping shape the Zoning Bylaw.
Grounds & Room Rental at the BCA!
The Braeside Community Centre offers two halls for rent. The upper hall can host up to 240 people, while the lower hall can fit up to 100 in a classroom-style setup. Both spaces are ideal for a variety of events, such as birthday parties, music groups, choirs, and more. For more information on availability and rates, please contact us at: hallrental@braesideyyc.ca
Vacant Board Positions: We're looking for a couple of Board positions (Secretary & Facilities). Contact our President, Jenny Mae to have a chat! president@braesideyyc.ca
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