Happy Summer everyone! The door to door campaign associated with the League Block to Block program has begun. There’s been lots of positive responses and interest as we slowly work our way through the neighbourhood building organizational capacity and neighbourhood empowerment. If we haven’t hit your block yet don’t fret – it’s going to take some time. If you want to get started or involved quicker, feel free to email us or come to one of the events or meetings to get involved. On August 11 we’ll be having the Chinatown Meet and Greet for the Block to Block program. It’ll be a fabulous opportunity for residents and business owners to get together.

As for upcoming events, there are lots to choose from! We’ll be having Two Family Potluck Picnics in the Park on July 7 and August 25. It’ll be a great opportunity to bring out the family, meet some neighbours, and share some great food. If you want to join in, find out more, or get involved in the organization of these fun family events please call or email the League or check out our Facebook page for more information. In August we are also planning a big door to door League membership campaign. On the weekend of the 25 and 26, the League executive, and as many volunteers as we can muster, will attempt a two day recruitment blitz.

If you haven’t used your League membership to get your free access every Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the Commonwealth Recreation Centre you are missing out. Steam room, spectacular kid friendly pool, huge hot tub, field house, full gym, plus the occasional giant football player working out – all a short walk from your home! And, don’t forget, your League membership also gets you a discount on all City of Edmonton facility passes. Starting in mid-June, your McCauley Community League membership should also get children free access to outdoor pools throughout the city (on a rotating basis) throughout the summer. Check our website for more information.

The McCauley Community League soccer program is also up and running at full tilt. Lots of kids, lots of volunteers, lots of fun all around. Even some super cuteness if you get to see the really little ones chasing the ball around. The U12s and maybe the U10 teams will be gearing up for the ENZA Summer Sizzler Tournament in June. The City of Edmonton and the McCauley Community League will also be partnering to bring the Green Shack program back to Caboto Park for another summer of supervised fun starting July 3.

And, don’t forget, your League membership also gets you a discount on all City of Edmonton facility passes. Starting in mid-June, your McCauley Community League membership should also get children free access to outdoor pools throughout the city (on a rotating basis) throughout the summer.

In the last month, members of the League executive had an exciting meeting with Community Relations people from MacEwan University. This was to open a dialogue about their planned expansion of and consolidation to their downtown campus. Currently, their 40,000 plus students and 3500 plus staff are in four campuses throughout the city and they plan to consolidate and expand this at one downtown campus. The first major phase of this is the construction of a new Centre for the Arts and Communications west of the Robbins Health Centre (109 Street) to be completed for the 2015 education year.

Another meeting of importance was with representatives of the Alberta Labour Council to discuss the relocation of their annual Labour Day event in Caboto Park. This has been a very large and growing event that they have hosted in the park for a long time but has continually generated many complaints and concerns from residents during my seven years of League involvement. The general consensus from the League and many residents is that the event is simply too big and impactful for the location, with yearly damage to the park occurring. We suggested a few alternate locations, expressed our concerns, and are hoping that greater efforts will be made to mitigate impacts this year and that the event will be relocated in following years.

On a less than positive note the City’s Sustainable Development department has approved another Development Permit for Ambrose Place as an apartment. The League filed an SDAB appeal concerning what we feel are misinterpretations of the Zoning Bylaw surrounding this. This appeal will have been heard on May 30. We will post updates on our website (mccauley.info), Facebook, and in the next issue of the paper.