Earlier this week, Team Ward 9 was invited to visit the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI) to learn more about their programs, services, and future goals. It was an eye-opening and informative visit, highlighting the incredible work being done to support some of Calgary’s most vulnerable residents.

Providing services to adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness, the DI works collaboratively with community partners to offer a broad spectrum of care, including emergency shelter, health programs, and housing options—all designed to help people find their way home. From providing immediate relief to those in crisis to facilitating long-term housing stability, the DI’s comprehensive approach ensures that individuals receive the personalized support they need at every stage of their journey.

Here are three things you may not know about the DI:

We want your input on how best to improve Calgary’s transit system. The City of Calgary is planning two exciting transit projects that will benefit Ward 9 residents: 52 Street East BRT and MAX Purple East Extension.

Keep reading for more information and how you can get involved and share your feedback on both projects.

Nominations for the Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) are now open. YODA is an opportunity to recognize exceptional youth aged 12-18 who stand out in the community. There are 8 award categories:

• Arts and Culture

• Advocacy, Peer Support

• Environment, Sportsmanship

• Leadership, Volunteerism

• Perseverance

Calling all filmmakers! Put on your director’s hat, grab your camera and help make our city’s streets safer for everyone.

As part of our ongoing efforts to further public traffic safety education, Mobility Safety is bringing back the Travel Safe Student Video Contest, in partnership with Calgary Police Service and the Calgary Public Library.

Thanks to generations of tree-loving citizens, Calgary is a city of green, with over 1.5 million trees in our urban forest.

Did you know that over half our city’s trees are located on private land? We want to help Calgarians plant new trees, while also properly caring for the ones we already have. To help. the City is offering basic tree-care information through both online and in-person workshops, at absolutely no cost.

The City of Calgary has introduced GamePLAN: Reimagining Public Recreation, a comprehensive strategy designed to transform the delivery of public recreation services over the next 25 years. This initiative aims to create inclusive, accessible, and sustainable recreational opportunities for all Calgarians, as our population continues to grow.

Calgary’s public recreation system is at a crossroads. Without investment, the system will degrade. facilities will close, and service levels will decline.

Have you checked out @brianscafeyyc in Ogden yet? This mighty little coffee shop operates out of Hub 29, breaking down barriers and building hope through coffee and connection.

In 2020, Linda lost her son, Brian, to the devastating outcome of mental health and addiction struggles. Longtime supporters of The Mustard Seed, Linda and her family saw Ogden’s Hub 29 as the perfect place to honour Brian’s memory while giving back to the community.

Earlier this week, five parcels of City-owned land were selected to be sold to four affordable housing providers at below-market value in the communities of Erin Woods, Crescent Heights, Erlton, Haysboro, and Shaganappi. These developments are expected to create 387 new affordable homes for Calgarians.

Experience the magic of Chinook Blast, Calgary’s annual winter festival celebration!

Celebrating 5 years with 110+ events, Chinook Blast warms up our city with a celebration of community, culture, and civic pride. This year’s events will feature lots of lights, live music, vendors markets, sports, & cultural showcases—it’s going to be WINTERRRIFIC!

Equal Voice Calgary in a non-partisan organization working to raise awareness about the need for more women in leadership positions and to encourage women and diverse candidates to run for political offices.

This year, Equal Voice Calgary has again partnered with the City of Calgary to host their sixth-annual She Governs program. This initiative aims to inspire leadership in young women and gender-diverse youth, empower future changemakers, and sharing experiences and information about Calgary City Council. Applications to participate are now open!

The Alex Community Food Center (CFC) is a welcoming space for people to come together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food for all. They provide Calgarians with dignified access to high-quality food, while providing all-ages opportunities to learn cooking and gardening skills in ways that expand tastebuds and help us make healthier food choices. Community members come together and take action on issues that matter to them, while creating an interconnected network of friends and neighbours.

As we embrace the winter months and prepare for spring, The Alex CFC has an exciting lineup of programs and events designed to bring the community together, share delicious food, and teach valuable new skills. Be sure to check them out and stop by for a visit soon!

Do you know of a neighbour, colleague, or organization deserving of recognition for the work they do to make Calgary thrive?

2025 marks the 31st anniversary of the Calgary Awards. Each year, individuals, corporations, community groups, and organizations are nominated in five major award categories, for a total of 13 awards.

The City of Calgary has mailed more than 595,000 annual 2025 property assessment notices and opened the Customer Review Period, which runs until March 21, 2025.

The 2025 property assessment values are based on a July 1, 2024 market valuation date and the property’s physical condition on Dec. 31, 2024. The total value of the 2025 Assessment Roll is $442 billion, an increase of $55 billion from last year. Overall, the typical residential property market value change is a 15 per cent increase over the previous year, while the typical non-residential market value change is three per cent. The 2025 median single residential assessment is $697,000, compared to $610,000 in 2024. The 2025 median residential condominium assessment is $359,000 compared to $295,000 in 2024.

Calgarians are invited to ring in the New Year with free, family-friendly festivities at Prince’s Island Park and Lot 59 (200 Memorial Dr. N.W.) starting at 8 p.m. on December 31st.

The celebration will feature live entertainment, family-friendly activities, food trucks, a skating/dance party and more. The night will end with a midnight fireworks show launched from Prince’s Island Park, synchronized to music by Canadian artists on CJSW 90.9FM.

From our families to yours, with love and fellowship, we wish you peace, respite, rejuvenation, and all the best in 2025.

In lieu of mailing traditional holiday cards, we’ve opted to donate to several notable local charities. This season, our focus is on supporting four organizations doing deeply meaningful and important work to care for our 2SLGBTQIA+ neighbours.

Happy Holidays!

This year, close to 180,000 households with Wednesday cart collection will be affected by changes to the holiday pickup schedule. Residents that normally have cart collections days on Wednesdays should be aware of the following changes:

• Christmas Day: Collection moves from Wednesday, December 25 to Monday, December 23.

• New Year’s Day: Collection moves from Wednesday, January 1 to Monday, December 30.

The cold comes as no surprise to those who have lived in Calgary for any length of time. However, we do tend to go through an adjustment period where the outdoor wear gets rotated into the closet and our free-time plans adjust from picnics to playing in the snow. Resist the urge to hibernate by looking forward to these winter activities uniquely available during the colder months of the year.

Check out our list of top 10 must-do activities this winter season.

As the holiday season approaches, the 2024 Support Local Holiday campaign is in full swing, encouraging Calgarians to shop locally and support their community. Now in its sixth year, the campaign reaffirms The City’s commitment to fostering vibrant neighborhoods and thriving local businesses.

Calgary is home to over 51,000 small businesses, accounting for more than 95% of Calgary’s economic growth. In 2023 alone, business license applications increased by 14% year-over-year, demonstrating the strength and expansion of our local business community. When you shop locally, you’re not just making a purchase, you’re also creating jobs, fueling innovation, keeping money flowing in our local communities, and ensuring Calgary’s neighborhoods continue to be vibrant and unique.

During last week’s mid-cycle budget adjustments, Council voted to reconsider a prior motion to close the Inglewood Aquatic Centre later in December 2024 and to reinstate funding that will extend the operational life of the pool.

Our gratitude goes out to the passionate community members who rallied to advocate for this outcome. While this decision is a temporary stopgap to the eventual end-of-life closure of the pool, we are committed to continuing to enjoy this facility while we have it, and keeping it operational for as long as funding allocated for repairs allows or until the expansion of the MNP Sports Centre expansion is complete, anticipated in 2027.

Last week, Council concluded its deliberations and approved the adjustments to The City of Calgary's service plans and budgets.

City Administration’s recommended Mid-Cycle Adjustments met Council’s direction and addresses what matters most to Calgarians – infrastructure, public safety, transit, and housing.