Our wonderful Family Fair extraordinaires Kylee and Paula have developed the First Annual McCauley Solstice Celebration! This event will happen December 22 in Giovanni Caboto Park from noon to 4 p.m. Activities will include snow shoeing, cross country skiing, bannock making over fire pits, ice candle and bird feeder making, and much more. Ansgar Lutheran Church has also recently asked to meet with our Board of Directors to discuss funding a program or event within McCauley with a specific focus on children and families.

In Zoning news, much infill housing and commercial development is happening throughout the neighbourhood, and our committee is hard at work reviewing applications and information at multiple sites. We will also be meeting with Scott McKeen, our new City of Edmonton Councillor, to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing McCauley.

A Special Meeting will be held December 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Taipan Café at 10627-97 Street. Specifically, we will be discussing the Rink and two motions that have been raised: To have our AGM in March 2014, and to hand over all operations of our Rink to KIDS. Voters must be residents of McCauley and must hold valid McCauley Community League memberships.

As a Board we voted in October 2013 to work alongside KIDS in some operations of the Rink for the 2013/2014 season and to begin development of a partnership. As a part of the “trial run,” the Board asked for the following from KIDS:

• Access to all McCauley Community League historical financial information regarding rink operations as these documents are currently being held by KIDS representatives;
• Final approval of all volunteers and employees involved with the rink, including security clearances;
• A plan to promote a neighbourhood volunteer program in connection with the rink;
• A detailed list of all programming that KIDS would like to implement and run this winter;
• The ability to supersede KIDS programming or reserve blocks of time for resident-focused initiatives;
• A monthly report in person or by written submission about programming, attendance and maintenance needs; and,
• Emergency contact information gathered about all children under 12 using the Rink without parents or guardians present.

As of this writing, KIDS has informed the McCauley Community League Board of Directors that, “We simply cannot operate the McCauley rink with the conditions/points that you have stated.”

Specifically, we will be discussing the Rink and two motions that have been raised: To have our AGM in March 2014, and to hand over all operations of our Rink to KIDS. Voters must be residents of McCauley and must hold valid McCauley Community League memberships.

In the current absence of a clear way forward, a site maintenance staff member and supervisor has been hired. The Rink will be open Monday through Friday, 2:30-8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting. The Rink closes during heavy snow falls and when the temperature is below -20. Current programming opportunities will include:

• December 11 through March 2014, Wednesdays 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Hockey Skills and Drills for ages 6-12
• December 14 through March 2014: Skating Lessons/Activities on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.
• Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to close: Adult-only shinny hockey
• Saturday nights from 6-9 p.m.: Family Skate and Craft Night
• Daily drop-in for all from 2:30-close, outside of programming times.
• As well, the annual Family Day Skating Party and McCauley Cup.

As always, a huge Thank You to E4C and the City of Edmonton for their contributions to our continued operation of the site. We would welcome further input and ideas for resident-driven programs.