President’s Message
We would like to let folks know that we are happy to share lost pets and wildlife updates on our social media. Feel free to create a guest post on our FB page!
Our Priority Updates:
Springbank Off-Stream Reservoir (SR1)
Along with members of Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows, we met with Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation, and his team in late January. We explicitly stated to the Minister that we cannot accept this project in our community:
- Fundamentally, SR1 is a value- destroying project while McLean Creek is a value-creating project.
- Let’s be clear: they cannot just address our issues by having their technical people meet with us
- They cannot address 2.3 million tons of silt sitting in our community in perpetuity.
- There is no mitigating the tremendous environmental, economic, aesthetic degradation that this project introduces into the Springbank area.
- There is no mitigating the lack of consultation with anyone from the western communities from 2013 through to today. Meeting with us over 6 years later does not undo that terrible process employed in the first place.
- Finally, there is no mitigating the fact that Bragg Creek and Redwood are left exposed to flood under SR1. Berms are not adequate protection (just check with Redwood folks).
Bow River Dam: Glenbow East Option
We asked Alberta Parks and Environment to meet with affected landowners to discuss their rights and obligations while the Glenbow East project is under consideration. They replied that they will not take responsibility for this and it is incumbent upon affected landowners to learn their rights. While we do not agree with this, we encourage landowners who are considering selling their property to consult a lawyer.
Community Centre: Inching Forward
- Rocky View County recently wrapped up a “Needs Assessment” (based on population forecasts, community surveys, etc.) for recreation across the County.
- We would like to highlight that since 2016, there have been 3 surveys in West Rocky View (one by volunteers in 2016, one by the County in 2017 and another one in 2019).
- The next step is for the County to hire a consultant to develop a “Master Plan” for recreation across the County. This should be a prescriptive document which will outline the “what, where, when, how much & funding” of new recreation capacity. The final report will be presented to Council in Q3. Following the final report, work on the priority projects will begin.
- We met with RVC staff this month to share the extensive work we have done on recreation planning in Springbank. Over the past 18 months, we have worked with 4 different staff members at RVC. We find ourselves, once again, explaining this history of trying to bring a gymnasium to our community. We are rather frustrated by this process and want a win for our community. We appreciate the value of long-term planning but, at some point, we need to actually make a decision on something!
Did you know? Rocky View Handi Bus
This is a rural charity that operates wheelchair-accessible vehicles for the area. This is a shared-ride service available to residents for medical appointments, and basic services such as grocery shopping or banking (for more information, visit: www.rockyviewbus.ca)
Bookings: 403.948.2887, M-F 8am – 3pm. Long-distance? Try our toll- free number: 1-877-389-2887. Email: info@rockyviewbus.ca
Volunteer of the Month: Melanie Spagrud
Since moving to Springbank 16 years ago, Melanie has been an active member in our community, immersing herself in the local schools and sports organizations. As a mom of three, Melanie has been both Chair and Treasurer for the School Councils at all three schools and is currently Co-Chair and Treasurer of the Springbank Middle School Council. Melanie has helped with the new playground and learning resources for all three schools, managed sports teams, organized tournaments and school- wide events, mentored numerous new volunteers, and is a go-to point of contact for parents and school administrations.
In addition to her work for our schools, Melanie has taken on various roles with Springbank Minor Hockey: age group communications coordinator, association registrar and team manager. She has also volunteered for her community condo association, Springbank Playschool, Canadian Parents for French, various ministries at her church, and was very active in the soccer, baseball and dance worlds.
Thank you, Melanie, for your years of service to the Springbank Community! If you would like to nominate a great local volunteer for our “Volunteer of the Month”, send an email to news@springbankcommunity.com.
Springbank Success Stories
ROARR at Robinson Outreach at RiverCross Ranch (Roarr.org)
ROARR operates out of RiverCross Ranch on RR40 and offers Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) programs for youth and seniors in need. New volunteers are always welcome at ROARR and there is Volunteer Sign-Up Day/Meet & Greet on Feb 27 from 10am-12pm. Feel free to invite anyone interested in volunteering to attend. RSVP to info@roarr.org.
SCHS Sports
If you are interested in tracking local school sports teams, go to rvsa.rockyview.ab.ca/high-school-sports for schedules and standings for Middle and High School sports. Basketball season is upon us so good luck to all the basketball players at the Middle and High School as they work towards playoffs in March.
Trustee Update: Courtesy of Judi Hunter, RVS Ward 5
One of the websites I access frequently is greatschools.org. I love the range of articles that are sent to me.
Recently I looked at an article called Decision Fatigue. The article caught my eye because I have suffered from it. Sometimes, we have had to make so many decisions in a short period of time, our brains literally shut down. This happens to children as well. Sometimes we ask them to make so many little decisions that they are exhausted by the time they need to make a decision that counts.
Social psychologist Roy F. Bameister says that by establishing routines with our children such as porridge for breakfast, bed at 8pm, homework 4-5, brush your teeth before bed, you save your child the decision-making for important matters such as how to finish my social assignment due tomorrow. Mr. Bameister also suggest that when kids are tired of decision making it is important to feed their brains – preferably a high-protein snack.
Recently, I read the book Boys – What it Means to Become a Man by Rachel Giese. It is classified a Globe 100 book of the year. I found the book to be all over the map with issues. However, I did find some nuggets.
“The thinking is that inclusion decreases stigma and isolation, and helps non-disabled students learn to be more tolerant. Yet in practice, integration often happens without proper resources or teacher training, and with zero education for classmates about disabilities.” (Page90). She then goes on to describe some of the behaviors she has witnessed and is frustrated by the school’s response. I believe she is correct on this front, in that many of our high needs’ students are best served in settings that address their learning needs.
She did speak to the need for cultural role models in our schools and on that count, she is right on. She also speaks positively about the use of technology saying that it provides boys with a venue to express their visibility though media. She cites a young Jay Versace, a black, queer boy from New York who began making Vine videos when he was 16. He developed over 3 million followers on social media.
She speaks positively about the WISEGUYZ program operated by the Sexual health Centre in Calgary. It is running at Springbank High School and has received positive feedback. It teaches young men about sexuality, respect for women and social responsibility.
