The Boyle Street Community Centre in Boyle Street Plaza has already been host to a number of summer events planned by a wide range of partners and renters. For instance, June 9 was significant for the huge and wonderfully-organized Community Iftar hosted by Islamic Family and Social Services Association (IFSSA) and the Green Room. We regularly host the Edmonton Sport and Social Club’s sports programming. We often have Muslim Girls’ Basketball, martial arts, Indigenous drumming group, and Piu Yum for recreational karaoke, singing, and dance. But we have two summer STEP positions and these folks will be organizing and promoting programming, so stay tuned.

Summer has already started, with some outdoor programming at the Green Shack at St. Theresa School, and coffee-on-patio events. Check our ad for some of our programs, but remember that we are always thinking up new events, so the best places to look are the calendar on our website (updated regularly), and our Facebook page, where breaking news appears! Also, always feel free to call us (leave a message if we aren’t there and we will answer usually within 24 hours) or send us an e-mail info@boylestreetcl.com. Also, we’re always open to new ideas, so feel free to bring us an idea and volunteer to help!

Basketball camps will be held at the plaza all summer, led by Alex Iseghohi. These camps have room for 10 Boyle Street kids for free as part of their partnership with BSCL. Kids from surrounding community leagues (if they are members of their home community league) can make up the 10 kids if not enough BSCL kids sign up. This is a BSCL initiative for our kids who might not be able to afford the camp fees.

The dates for the regular evening drop-ins and the camps are:

July 7 & 14: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Basketball camp for age group 6-8)
August 18 & 25: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Basketball camp for age group 6-8)
July 9 to 13: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Basketball camp for age group 9-12)
July 16 to 20: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Basketball camp for age group 9-12)
July 23 to 27: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Basketball camp for age group 13-18)
August 20 to 24: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Basketball camp for age group 13-18)
August 27 to 31: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Basketball camp for age group 9-12)

Please remember that BSCL memberships are free for this and next year (membership year goes from September through August, and that members get free or reduced rates on many programs.

Art is in the air too! BSCL members can also be accommodated in the art classes that take place at the Plaza. Also, we’re just starting to plan a joint upcoming BSCL-Art Gallery of Alberta event “Your Community is a Work of Art—Literally!” Boyle Street is one of the Edmonton neighbourhoods featured in AGA’s recently opened exhibition Hubert Hohn: Edmonton Entrances and Suburban Landscapes. In conjunction with the exhibit, we’re planning a tour followed by patio event at the Plaza. Please let us know if you are interested, as these tours are restricted to 30 people in each. However, we would be glad to organize as many as needed to accommodate your interest! Last but not least, our summer STEP students will be starting to carry out our “Humans of Boyle Street” themed photography and story-collecting project. If you meet them when they are out with their cameras, please tell them your story!

On June 29 we hosted the Leisure Access Pass Event where individuals and families needing some help with the cost of City facilities could sign up for the City of Edmonton’s Leisure Access Pass and enjoy a barbeque on the patio. Don’t worry if you missed the event – you can apply any time at City Hall – but this was way more fun!

Now that our website and Facebook page are up to date and running, we will be posting notices and recognition of as many of these events as we can, but also keep an eye on other city-wide community groups to see what events they are planning on holding in our great community! Boyle Street is the community with heart in the heart of the city, and our heart beats for you, our community members.

– Your BSCL Board