
The neighbourhood of Manchester is truly a special place, and the spirit of cooperation and community-building is thriving here. Bordered by Manchester Industrial to its north, south, and east, and Macleod Trail to the west, Manchester is brimming with families, seniors, and students who are all proud of their diversity.
Although Manchester does not have a community association, a dedicated group of volunteers and city staff, have been helping develop a neighbourhood organization to create a vision for their future. Together we are working towards Manchester becoming the home of Calgary’s first next-generation community association.
Beginning March 17 through to early April, the Green Line is undertaking a series of borehole tests, identifying utility locations along the future LRT alignment. The objective of this project is to determine whether existing utilities (owned by ATCO, ENMAX, The City of Calgary, Bell, TELUS and Shaw/Rogers) along the Green Line route need to be relocated or can be protected in place. The utilities are o
Test sites are limited to City-owned property but may impact general traffic in the area. There are approximately 200 locations across the SE Segment of the Green Line LRT, on City-owned land. Each investigation is expected to take one day with work happening between 9:00am and 3:30pm. Where there are potential impacts to residences or businesses, the Green Line team will contact those who may be directly affected.
The City of Calgary is moving forward with plans to build a new South Central Bus Garage in the community of Alyth/Bonnybrook/Manchester. This facility is a critical step in ensuring Calgary Transit can meet the needs of our rapidly growing city while modernizing its fleet, increasing storage, and expanding service levels. It will also replace the aging Victoria Park Garage, which is set to be decommissioned.
With Calgary’s population expected to grow by nearly half a million people over the next 30 years, the demand for efficient, sustainable transit services will only increase. The new South Central Bus Garage will provide the capacity to double the number of buses currently accommodated at Victoria Park over time, ensuring we can continue to provide reliable transit options to Calgarians.
The Province of Alberta is currently working on Deerfoot Trail Improvements in Ward 9, which includes the relocation of a large sanitary force main from the Deerfoot Trail corridor to 12 Street SE. This work is expected to begin in mid-March and carry through to the summer.
From our families to yours, with love and fellowship, we wish you peace, respite, rejuvenation, and all the best in 2025.
In lieu of mailing traditional holiday cards, we’ve opted to donate to several notable local charities. This season, our focus is on supporting four organizations doing deeply meaningful and important work to care for our 2SLGBTQIA+ neighbours.
Happy Holidays!
In late November, the Green Line team hosted three information sessions along the southeast portion of the alignment. We shared the current 60% design for stations between Ramsay/Inglewood and Shepard, as well as plans for bridges and guideways.
At this level of design, key elements have been established and can show Calgarians how these features will integrate within their communities.
Happy November Manchester! There are some exciting activities and events happening over the next several weeks. All great ways for you to meet your neighbours, learn something new, and have some good ol' fashion community fun!
As GreenLine design work resumes between 4 Street SE and Shepard, the project team will be hosting several community information sessions in late November to share the most recent designs plans for the southeast stations. This is an opportunity for Calgarians to ask questions, learn more, and get an updated look at the project’s progress.
The final draft of the Chinook Communities Local Area Plan (LAP) is ready. Together with thousands of community members—including a working group, community association members, and development industry representatives—a local area plan has been created for the Chinook Communities. This means new policies to guide growth and change in the areas of Manchester, a south portion of Manchester Industrial, Bel-Aire, Britannia, Elboya, Mayfair, Meadowlark Park, Parkhill, Windsor Park, and a small eastern portion of Glenmore Park.
Earlier this spring, neighbours in Manchester came together to build a new community garden space for residents to learn about and grow food, herbs, and flowers together.
Community gardens help enhance the health and well-being of neighbourhoods and communities by providing the space and opportunity for people of all skill levels to learn and interact. They are a place where people can connect with nature, better understand where their food comes from, and provide opportunities for sharing and learning.
The City of Calgary is delivering new routes and local improvements to Calgary's Pathway and Bikeway Network to enhance healthy, safe, and accessible travel options in Calgary.
We're developing dedicated pathway and bikeway routes in Ward 9 (Penbrooke Meadows, Forest Heights, Forest Lawn, Dover, Erin Woods, and Eastfield) aligning with Calgary's established Pathway and Bikeway Network. The proposed routes currently serve residential, recreation, shopping, education, and work destination. When the routes are improved, they will provide safe, healthy, and affordable travel choices for people of all ages and all abilities.
This year’s HMCS Barn Burner was a wild success!
Councillors Kourtney Penner and Gian-Carlo Carra along with the Friends of HMCS Calgary Committee welcomed nearly 600 friends, family, community organizations. and service members to this year’s event! All to help raise funds for the Foothills Burn Treatment Centre and The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary on behalf of HMCS Calgary, our city’s namesake Navy ship.
Phase 3: REFINE of the Chinook Communities Local Area Planning project is taking place May 28 – June 24, 2024. In this phase, we are looking to further discuss and refine how redevelopment and revitalization could happen in the Chinook Communities of Bel-Aire, Britannia, Elboya, Mayfair, Meadowlark Park, Parkhill, Windsor Park, Manchester, a south portion of Manchester Industrial and a small eastern portion of Glenmore Park.
Share your thoughts from May 28 – June 24, 2024.
Councillors Kourtney Penner and Gian-Carlo Carra along with the Friends of HMCS Calgary Committee are delighted to invite you to this year’s HMCS Calgary Barn Burner!
Dust off your best western attire and kick off Stampede with the Commanding Officer and members of the HMCS Calgary crew, our city’s namesake Navy ship.
There will be good food, good drink, good music, and most of all good people! This event is family-friendly (kids under 12 are free!) with proceeds going to support two soon-to-be-announced local charities.
This weekend, stop by Manchester’s Annual Community Yard Sale!
May 25, 2024 11am-3pm
5757 2 ST SW
Households will be selling a variety of goods at the yard sale, all accepting a range of 20% - 100% Calgary Dollars towards purchases.
Our office is seeking proposals from Indigenous artists with a connection to Treaty 7 land interested in partnering to design and create an illustrated map about water. This map will highlight water resources, infrastructure, and landmarks, while sharing stories and raising awareness about water conservation, management, history, and the importance of water in Ward 9 and through Calgary.
After a 15-day Public Hearing, City Council has voted to approve citywide rezoning to allow for the construction of a variety low-density homes across Calgary.
In response to feedback from Calgarians, amendments have been introduced to address concerns regarding community engagement during the development permit phase, modified parking requirements, and adjustments to secondary suite allowances for row houses.
The What We Heard Report from Phase 1 is now available here.
The City of Calgary is working on several projects that will guide the future of the 50 Avenue S.E. corridor. These include the Chinook Communities Local Area Plan (LAP), the Central Bus Maintenance Storage Facility (MSF) Study, and the 50 Avenue Functional Planning Study (FPS).
The City of Calgary is making improvements at the Calgary Soccer Centre (CSC) located at 7000 48 Street SE
Construction is underway and is expected to be completed by early 2025.Once complete, citizens will have access to a high-quality, year-round practice and play space. It will be bookable by anyone. Learn more at Calgary.ca/CSCDome.
One of the best days of the year is just around the corner! Neighbour Day is Calgary’s celebration of community connection. Held each year on the third Saturday in June, Neighbour Day is a step toward creating welcoming and inclusive communities where neighbours connect and belong every day of the year.
Neighbour Day 2024 will include two kick-off events on May 4 to help raise awareness of Neighbour Day and invite Calgarians to start planning their own Neighbour Day block party or community event for June 15.
Jane’s Walk 2024 is back and taking place May 3rd through 5th. Calgarians of all ages are invited to participate in free walking tours throughout a variety of communities and areas of interest in the city!
A global event inspired by and in honour of Jane Jacobs, an urbanist and activist who championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building. Jane believed that in order to properly observe how people, through their actions and interactions, create communities with a strong sense of belonging, we need to get out and walk the city.
The City of Calgary takes a proactive approach to protecting and replacing aging assets. The water main replacement program reduces emergency water main breaks and service interruptions by replacing corroded mains with new PVC pipe and adding protection to reduce the rate of future corrosion.
Since 1980, this program has contributed to a 73 per cent decrease in the number of emergency water main repairs. As part of this years water main replacement program contract, water mains will be replaced along with some public and private water services in the following Ward 9 areas:
There is an exciting opportunity for a local Manchester artist to paint some of the windows in the Manchester Tower Community Space. They are currently looking for a creative person who is available in April to paint. If that's you, see more details above on how to submit a draft proposal before March 31.
Calgary is in a housing crisis. We need more homes. The citywide rezoning proposed in Home is Here: The City of Calgary’s Housing Strategy will help.
How will rezoning help?
This change will help increase the supply of housing to better meet demand by reducing the costs and timelines for permit approvals. This means more housing is able to be built faster. It also allows for greater housing variety, options, and price points to suit more Calgarians needs.
If you’re renting or buying, rezoning increases the number and types of homes available in all communities, making homes more affordable. If you own property, you’ll have more options to meet your future needs.
As the GreenLine LRT begins to shift from planning to implementation, we are at a place where key challenges and opportunities associated with the current GreenLine station designs in Ward 9 need to be addressed. These challenges and opportunities are grounded in the perspective I have as a 10+ year advocate and champion of the GreenLine in my role as the area’s City Councillor, as well as my 20+ year role as an urban design professional working with East Calgary Communities towards the transit-oriented future we are now on the brink of achieving.
The City of Calgary is currently in the second phase of the Chinook Community Local Area Planning project, which includes the communities of Manchester and Manchester Industrial. Some great conversations and engagements have already taken place with the working group and local community associations.
Opportunities for the public to get involved are open from November 14 to December 11, 2023.
From November 30th - December 10th, we will be collecting donations for the Calgary Food Bank as part of the Mayor’s Annual Food Drive.
Like Food Banks across the country, the Calgary Food Bank has seen an unprecedented increase in demand this past year. In 2022, Council raised just over $80,000 in food and funds for Calgarians in need. We hope to surpass that number this year.
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. We want to hear from you.
Calgary is a city of opportunity and choice. As our city’s population approaches two million, The City of Calgary must prepare to support this growth. The City Building program will align and strengthen The City’s plans and tools to create a place where everyone can thrive.
Beginning October 12, Green Line’s Development Partner, Bow Transit Connectors, will be undertaking a series of borehole tests in the area surrounding the future 26 Avenue SE LRT station (around Ramsay and Highfield). Impacts are limited to City-owned and private property and are not expected to impact general traffic in the area. Each investigation is expected to take one-to-two days. Where there are potential impacts to businesses, Green Line will coordinate directly with those who may be affected.
After three hard and emotional days, City Council voted 12-3 to pass the Housing Strategy in its entirety. The actions outlined in this strategy make up a comprehensive and critically needed framework to address housing affordability, ensuring more Calgarians have a safe place to call home.
Over 1,322 pages of written submissions were sent in, 162 members of the public came out to speak, and our office received hundreds of emails. Overwhelmingly, the stories of those desperate to find or keep a roof over their head are the ones that dominated the conversation.
You can read the full Housing Strategy report and all 66 of the recommendations HERE.
After completing significant upgrades to the Glenmore and Bearspaw Water Treatment plants, The City of Calgary is on track to re-introduce fluoride into drinking water starting mid-April. Once a specific date is available, it will be shared with the public.
In October of 2021, Council voted to follow the direction of the majority of Calgarians who voted in favour of reintroducing fluoride through the electoral ballot (62 per cent of electors voted in favour of reintroducing fluoridation into the municipal water supply.) This decision is also backed by a majority of dental and healthcare professionals globally, as well as both our Federal and Provincial government.
Earlier this month, Team Ward 9 attended an open house for The Doorway, a non-profit in Ogden dedicated to empowering young people (ages 17–30) who are unhoused or experiencing housing instability.
Since 1988, The Doorway has provided support, encouragement, and guidance to help youth thrive. Their approach is rooted in respect for each young person’s autonomy and individuality, fostering a community where they feel valued, understood, and empowered.
As part of ongoing efforts to continually improve and optimize public transit service for Calgarians, Calgary Transit will be launching a two-car train pilot on weekends, beginning March 22.
Since 2022 annual ridership numbers have been growing and returning to 2019 pre-pandemic levels – in 2024, more than 101 million customers were served by Calgary Transit. Outside of special events, weekend ridership has also been increasing, with 84 passengers on average riding the train per trip (up to 300 during busy periods), but under the 400-person capacity of two train cars.
Calgary Jane's Walks are officially live and open for walker registration. Walks throughout Calgary are posted on the Janes Walk Eventbrite page, and free for all to join. As always, there are a TON of amazing and unique community-led walking tours happening throughout Calgary on the Weekend on May 2-4. Whether your interests are arts and culture, history and heritage, architecture and city-building, or anything in between, there is definitely a Jane’s Walk for everyone to get out and enjoy.
Learn more, grab a friend, and register today!
The City of Calgary is moving forward with plans to build a new South Central Bus Garage in the community of Alyth/Bonnybrook/Manchester. This facility is a critical step in ensuring Calgary Transit can meet the needs of our rapidly growing city while modernizing its fleet, increasing storage, and expanding service levels. It will also replace the aging Victoria Park Garage, which is set to be decommissioned.
With Calgary’s population expected to grow by nearly half a million people over the next 30 years, the demand for efficient, sustainable transit services will only increase. The new South Central Bus Garage will provide the capacity to double the number of buses currently accommodated at Victoria Park over time, ensuring we can continue to provide reliable transit options to Calgarians.
Mark your calendars! The Youth Employment Centre is excited to announce the return of the Youth Hiring Fair on Thursday, March 27 at the Big Four Building from 1:30 to 6 p.m. If you're between the ages of 15-24, this event is your opportunity to meet with 80 employers ready to hire for part-time, full-time, permanent and seasonal positions.
Phase II of The George Moss Park upgrades are officially underway!
A new Skatepark and Pump Track will be key additions to the park, providing a safe and inclusive space for wheeled-sports enthusiasts to develop their skills, connect with others, and enjoy outdoor recreation.
The park’s design is shaped by consultation and research, ensuring it complements existing skateparks in the region while introducing unique features. The open layout will include a diverse mix of terrain elements, from a “street plaza” with ledges, quarter pipes, and hips to a flowing concrete pump track—the first of its kind in Calgary!
Volunteer registration is now open for the 58th Annual Pathway and River Cleanup happening May 2nd to 4th, 2025. Join thousands of Calgarians who generously donate their time to help clean up litter from our riverbanks and pathways throughout the city.
Registration is open from now through March 31.
The Salvation Army East Calgary Campus in Forest Lawn provides services and programs focused on supporting families, youth, and seniors in East Calgary. With a commitment to help strengthen the community, they provide opportunities for everyone to learn, grow, and connect with their neighbours.
They have a ton of great programming at their space - Check out the full listing on upcoming events on their event calendar and try something new today.
With warmer temperatures in the air, now is the perfect time to start planning your garden! Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, check out some of these great events to help make planning (and learning) even easier!