Discovery Heights Pond Update

The following information was first published via DRCA membership email.

The City of Calgary has advised us of the following:

“City construction crew will mobilize to the Discovery Heights Pond site to start the pond outlet modification work this week. As mentioned in our April 25 meeting, a lower pond level must be maintained to improve public safety. The modification is the short-term solution to replace the current pumping.”

Noise Matters

The following information was first published via DRCA membership email.

We have noticed the increase in resident concerns regarding noise from, and because of, the Ring Road. For those newer to the community, the DRCA engaged with the Provincial government, and Alberta Transportation (AT) in particular, on an ongoing basis from as far back as 2013 before the Ring Road construction near DR even began. For 10+years a dedicated and vigilant group of volunteers on the DRCA Ring Road Committee advocated for the best interests of our special community, including sound attenuation measures. This included several trips to Edmonton to meet with various Ministers and AT Senior staff.

There were some major successes the DRCA Committee achieved including:

  • Having the eastbound lanes paved further away from the northern edge of our community than they were planned to be.
  • Getting the earthen berm installed that runs most, but not all, of the length of the community, from 69th Street heading west.
  • Having AT leave at least some of the trees east of 69th Street, when they initially intended to remove them all.

There was no movement from AT to:

  • Change their refusal to implement sound attenuation measures at Jackson Coulee (nicknamed Funnel Ravine by the nearby residents).
  • Change their refusal to implement sound attenuation measures east of 69th Street.
  • Change their refusal to implement sound attenuation measures at the west end of the community.
  • Use City of Calgary noise measurement standards not Provincial standards.

That final point is likely the most notable at this time as we hear of residents working hard to have testing done with the hope of changes being made. Why has this been such an important request for the DRCA to strongly advocate and fight for all along? Because the City of Calgary standards use peak period noise whereas the Provincial standards are far harder to “fail” as they use 24-hour weighted averages. This is the narrowest corridor of the entire Ring Road project thereby placing the road and exit ramps closer to homes. Also, Discovery Ridge is within the City limits so we deemed using the City standards more than reasonable in the circumstances. This was always refused and is still refused.

Specifically from the Ring Road website:
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors’ noise guidelines outline the conditions for noise attenuation in cities and urban areas. Noise attenuation will be considered if noise levels exceed a 24-hour weighted average of 65 decibels. These noise levels are determined by noise studies that consider roadway design, topography and anticipated traffic volumes to model, or predict, future levels. The future noise levels are used to determine if noise attenuation is warranted based on the provincial noise guidelines. Noise attenuation will not be installed for aesthetic/visual screening purposes.

In simple terms, this means that what the noise level measured at for the loudest 1 hour period is what would be used by City standards, vs the quiet times of a 24-hour average watering down the loudest times to a point whereby it would be incredibly difficult for the noise levels to fail by the Provincial standards being used.

We hope this background and information is helpful and useful to residents as they work to advocate for support and change.

DRCA Stampede Roundup: What a Success!

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Stampede Roundup. Fun was had by all and what a special treat to have had the Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess and Calgary Stampede Princess attend this year.

To all of the volunteers who assisted in making this event happen, we cannot thank you enough. We want to give a special shoutout to Lillian, Ameeta, and Kristin!

Sponsors, without you we could not bring these big events to our special Discovery Ridge community! Thanks to:

  • Kristin Mould, Boutique Real Estate — Presenting Sponsor
  • Ron Liepert, MP Calgary Signal Hill
  • New Discovery Fine Wines & Spirits
  • Staging Calgary — Yvonne Laanstra
  • Maharaja Restaurant
  • No Payne Roofing
  • Soular Montessori Development Centre
  • YYC Food Trucks

Development Permit Volunteer Needed

With the recent passing of the housing rezoning, it is possible there could be more Development Permit applications than we typically see. The DRCA is copied on Development Permit applications from within the community to review and comment if applicable. We are seeking an individual that could spend approximately 15-20 minutes reviewing the applications received and comment if required. The comment process is online.

Please contact us at: volunteer@discoveryridge.com if you are able to assist.

Multi-use Pathway Volunteer Needed

Would you like to see a pedestrian crossing over the Elbow River on Highway 8? A Highway 8 multi-use pathway? Would you like pedestrian and bike access to Clearwater Park and beyond? Alberta Transportation is constructing a new bridge and we’d like to see pedestrian and bike access included in that development. We are seeking a new volunteer to assist with this.

Work with Elbow Valley Residents Association and the DRCA on this initiative and our past volunteer will provide the full history and background on these initiatives to date. Please contact us at: volunteer@discoveryridge.com if you are able to assist.

Stampede Roundup Highlights

There’s lots to look forward to at our Stampede Roundup this year. Here are some of the highlights.

Stampede Royalty Visit
Calgary Stampede Royalty consists of the First Nations Princess and Calgary Stampede Princess. We are thrilled to have both Princesses attending our event! CS Princess Brooke Fielding and CS First Nations Princess Margaret Holloway will join us from about 4:30 – 6:30 pm. Margaret will perform a traditional jingle dance at 5:15 pm. This will be a beautiful showcase of First Nations culture. Each year, the reigning Royals share and celebrate Stampede’s western heritage, cultures, and community spirit locally and around the world. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and mingle with Stampede Royalty!

Bottle Shack Open House – Drop By During Stampede Roundup
Did you know Discovery Ridge has a bottle shack? You don’t need to leave the community to dispose of your refundable drink containers and wine bottles! The Shack is in the parking lot next to the recreation facilities (rink and tennis courts). It’s a beautifully painted sea can adorned with local wildlife. The DRCA uses the proceeds from the bottle shack to help maintain and operate our facilities. Having a convenient way to recycle and support the community is a win-win.

During Stampede Roundup you can drop off your bottles and tour the Shack. Come out and meet Matt who oversees the operations. He’d be happy to have a chat and answer any questions you may have. If you bring bottles, please be sure to either tie them in bags or tape them shut in boxes to keep things safe from breakage and for ease of stacking.

NDHA (Your HOA) and DRCA (Activities and Rec Centre) Membership Table
Stop by and learn about the two associations that work hard to make our community such an awesome place to live! If you are at Stampede Roundup with a neighbour who is not a member of the Discovery Ridge Community Association (DRCA), please bring them by our table so we can share the perks of being a member. Help support the incredible work we do!

Line Dance Stampede
Line Dance Stampede will be joining us once again! Catch their performance from 4:30 – 6:00 pm. Enjoy their foot-stomping line dancing and join in to learn a few steps yourself!

Our Sponsors
We’d like to thank our sponsors who make our event possible. We appreciate their commitment to our community: Kristin Mould – Boutique Real Estate; Ron Liepert – MP Signal Hill; New Discovery Fine Wine & Spirits; Staging Calgary – Yvonne Laanstra; No Payne Roofing; Maharajah Restaurant; and YYC Food Trucks.

Window and Balcony Safety

Alberta Health Services and EMS have issued a reminder about window and balcony safety.

DRCA Stampede Roundup on June 22

Get ready for the DRCA Stampede Roundup — it’s almost here! Saddle up and join us on Saturday, June 22, 2024, from 4 pm to 7 pm at the park by the rinks.

What started as a Stampede Breakfast in 2011 has now flourished into an exciting afternoon event that kicks off the Calgary Stampede celebrations. Enjoy an array of western-themed entertainment, treats from local food trucks, lively kids’ games, face painting, line dancing, and a visit from Butterfield Acres’ petting zoo. Don’t miss out on a special performance by the Calgary Stampede First Nations Princess!

We can’t wait to see you there!

We have a huge thank you to our sponsors: Kristin Mould – Boutique Real Estate, Ron Liepert – MP Signal Hill, New Discovery Fine Wine & Spirits, Staging Calgary – Yvonne Laanstra, No Payne Roofing, Maharajah Restaurant, and YYC Food Trucks.

Stampede Roundup Volunteers Needed

Plans are well under way for our first event of the year, Stampede Roundup! For those who may not know, Stampede Roundup began many years ago as Stampede Breakfast. Over the years it has evolved into a fun afternoon celebrating the impending arrival of the Calgary Stampede. The afternoon is filled with children’s games, face painting, line dancing, the library book truck, a petting zoo, food trucks, and a whole lotta country music!

The event is Saturday, June 22, 2024. Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Location: Green space by the rec centre.

To make all this happen the Discovery Ridge Community Association (DRCA) needs your support. Volunteers are needed for:

  • Set Up: Arrive at 2:00 pm to set up awnings for sponsors, tables, chairs, benches, games, and garbage and recycle bins.
  • Take Down: Beginning at 7:00 pm take down awnings and put away tables, chairs, benches, and games. Collect garbage and recycle bins.
  • Games: Supervise games for 1.5-hour shifts, 4 – 5:30 pm and 5:30 – 7:00 pm.

If you are available to help, please email volunteer@discoveryridge.com and let us know what area/shift you would like to fill.

Let’s bring the Stampede spirit to Discovery Ridge!

Community Cleanup

Get ready for the Tri-Community Cleanup on Saturday, May 18th!

Time: 9 am – 2 pm (last site entrance is at 1:45 pm)
Location: Westside King’s Church parking lot (3939 69th Street SW)
Items Accepted:

  • garbage
  • metals
  • electronics
  • tires
  • furniture/small donations

Items not accepted:

  • organics, chemicals, paint, contaminated materials
  • hazardous items including asbestos, light fixtures containing ballasts, capacitors
  • car batteries, large appliances (e.g., fridge, stove)
  • scrap containing mixed materials including chemicals, electronics, printed circuit boards, lead, medical items, mercury, radioactive items, sludge
  • gas bottles/cylinders/tanks/barrels, propane bottles
  • large amounts of rebar, barbwire, fencing, and cabling

You can contact 311 to ask “what goes where” for any unknown items. Also, for your reference here is a list of items Cerebral Palsy will and will not accept for donation at the Tri-Community Cleanup.

We look forward to seeing you at the event.