10 Good Reasons to Join your Community Association

1. Community Programming: The South Calgary Community Association (SCCA) offers a variety of programs to our members. We offer a Playgroup program for children under 5, and a community Preschool. During the winter months, SCCA members can register to play with the Glenlake Minor Hockey Club and the South Calgary Ringette League. During spring months we provide our signature Peanuts Soccer Program to members with children ages 3-5. We maintain a total of 8 beach volleyball courts during the summer and provide free access to ALL community residents to our tennis courts located beside the SCCA Hall. Our outdoor pool offers lessons and public swim times during the summer months. Finally, we partner with the City of Calgary Parks and Recreation Program to provide both the Stay and Play and Park and Play summer camp program free of charge to the public at large.

2. Special Events: The SCCA is proud to present a variety of special events throughout the year to engage residents in South Calgary and provide an opportunity to get together with neighbours and friends you already know and meet new ones. In the spring, we host our now-famous INDULGE fundraiser, with tickets being sold first to members. The event always sells out! This winter, we are hoping to offer family skating events on an outdoor ice surface with hot chocolate, music, and fun. We are also currently thinking about other events (aldermanic forums, speaker series, film series, kids' sleepovers, etc) that will be exclusive to members of the SCCA. (Ideas and suggestion welcome—email exec.director@southcalgarycommunity.ca)

3. A Voice on Planning and Development Issues: The community association makes every effort tokeep track of all planning and development proposals in our area, including residential and commercial development at all scales, mobility of all kinds (pedestrian, cycling, vehicular), park and playground development, and so on. The SCCA regularly consults with and provides ideas and opinions to the City of Calgary on planning and development issues. We are a strong and forceful voice at City Hall on behalf of our citizens.

4. Community News: The SCCA communicates regularly with members and residents about activities, programs, and services happening in the community. Our OFFICIAL newsletter is The Source, which is distributed free to over 7,500 residences. Members also receive regular and timely email updates.

5. South Calgary Facilities and Rentals: The SCCA Hall is available for rental to community association members and the general public. The building has two halls and two Alberta Health approved commercial kitchens for rental. We host a wide range of activities and events, including weddings, dance classes, business meetings, art shows and local chefs in our hall. The community association also operates the outdoor pool and playfields, and maintains the playground (redone in 2004), outdoor ice rinks and tennis courts for the benefit of community residents.

6. Fundraising: Through casinos, grants, special events and community memberships, your community association raises funds to provide programs and services as well as construct, operate, and maintain community facilities.

7. Representing the Community on Regional Committees and Initiatives: Community association designates represent the community on regional issues of interest such as major parks, major infrastructure projects in the area and social/special interest groups, including SWAS (South West Arenas Society), COSPA (Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pool Association), and the Marda Loop BRZ (Business Revitalization Zone) to name a few.

8. Neighbourhood Safety: The traffic committee (email traffic@southcalgarycommunity.ca ) and Block Watch program are examples of how we place safety first in our communities.

9. Improving the Quality of Life: The SCCA is maintained by dedicated individuals who volunteer their time to improve the quality of life for themselves and others in the community. Share the feeling of community pride.

10. Neighbours like you! Another great reason to join the South Calgary Community Association. Meet your neighbours, and be a part of a team that will continue to make our community one we're proud to call home. This is a $25 spend you'll feel good about all year.

*Some excerpts courtesy of the Federation of Calgary Communities (FCC)

Purchase your membership now.