What is there to do during winter time in McCauley? Night starts early, the parks are quiet, and neighbours are less likely to run into one another. Overall, the onset of winter can be challenging for everyone. Your MCL Board is hard at work developing programs and services to meet your needs on those long, cold nights.

A group of families is currently at work submitting a plan for a snow bank rink in Giovanni Caboto Park. This rink will be maintained entirely by volunteers. If you’re interested in getting involved, email: mccauleycommunityleague@gmail.com. Your contact details will be forwarded on to the spearheads of this project. We are also in the midst of major changes at our Rink site on 96 Street and 107 Avenue. Expect to see changes to the programming for winter 2013 – spring 2014 and a new maintenance contractor for winter 2013 and beyond.

A group called Kids Innercity Development Society (KIDS) will be taking over some of the operations for a trial period of November 2013 – March 2014. We are exploring a partnership and the potential of building a warming structure with adjoining multi-purpose space. While the construction has no set date and will require much conversation and consultation with neighbourhood residents, KIDS have asked for the opportunity to showcase their programming and maintenance skills during this upcoming season. The Board of Directors has voted to allow this trial run. At the same time, we have some other local families who have requested dedicated programming time at the Rink. As such, the Nixon-Hermansen and Porter-Eaton families (myself included) will be running a family skate, music, and craft night every Saturday from 6-9 p.m. throughout the 2013-2014 season. We are committed to making our Rink site a welcoming and inclusive site for all residents and would welcome ideas about how to make this space even greater than it is. This and other program opportunities will be posted on our website, Facebook, in this paper for the December/January edition, as well as on the Rink fence itself. Call the office if you would like more information: (780)428-5332.

We are also in the process of hiring a new dance instructor for the Saturday dance classes. Keep an eye out for news of the new instructor as well as dates and times of classes. The guitar program continues on Monday nights at the Boys and Girls Club, in partnership with E4C.

In zoning news, our standing committee is sending two residents to planning academy and is looking for another volunteer or two to head there in the spring. If you’re interested, contact Anna at azbubel@telus.net.

Finally, you may have noticed some changes to the northeast corner of Caboto Park. We are hard at work on completing parts of the park master plan that was drawn up by a redevelopment committee many moons ago. Expect to see much more happening on this and similar projects in the next couple of years. We have recently formed a Gardening subcommittee and are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist us in this. Thank you to all of the amazing folks who have helped us get to where it is today!