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Monthly Archives:

May 2016

GCL approves final funding of Maple Leaf Park. Construction set to begin August.

After four long years of planning, fundraising and community consultation, the money is in the bank and the design is in place – paving the way for the construction of Griesbach Maple Leaf Park and Playground. If all goes according to plan (weather pending), the build will begin this August and the playground will be completed early fall – so it can be enjoyed by students of Major General Griesbach School, which was built without a playground of its own.

At a Special Meeting of Griesbach Community League (GCL), members unanimously voted to give the Griesbach Community League Board authorization to spend up to $343,520 of league funds to build Maple Leaf Park and Playground. Additional funds will follow to cover the installation of a gazebo in 2017 – with a contingency to cover additional playground equipment that may be added to the design. All monies will be matched by the City of Edmonton for a total build cost of $747,000.

These funds have raised thanks to the tireless efforts and cooperation of several groups, sponsors, volunteers and individual donors over the past four years. The money has been held in trust by GCL. League bylaws required a vote to release funds exceeding $10,000.

The need for a playground at the new school was one of the central issues that led to the formation of Griesbach Community League in 2011. A community survey confirmed that a playground was the number one priority of residents, so the Griesbach Playground Committee was established to lead the design process in partnership with the City of Edmonton.

Money has been raised bit by bit through bottle drives, bingos, silent auctions, grants, commemorative bricks and other school fundraisers. In the last year as we inched closer and closer to our objective, the fundraising efforts reached a fevered pitch – highlighted by a wildly successful GoFundMe campaign (the brainchild of Damion van’t Kruis).

It was a ton of work to get to where we are today. At times, it felt like we would never hit this elusive goal. But thanks to the never-quit attitude of all those committed to making this playground a reality, we made it.

Griesbach Community League would like to recognize the following groups and individuals for their hard work to get us to where we are today:

  • The residents of Griesbach who have supported us along the way, making our various fundraisers a huge success by donating their time and money.
  • Our incredible corporate sponsors for their extreme generosity: Canada Lands Company, Homes by Avi, Pringle/Chivers/Sparks/Teskey Barristers, Skuba Dental, Homes by Avi, Coventry Homes, Rosslyn Inn & Suites, Dream Homes by Krisner, Shoppers Drug Mart, Castledowns Pharmacy, Schulte PC and Lucky 97.
  • Major General Griesbach School and MGG Fundraising Society for your creative fundraising initiatives and support.
  • The numerous local businesses that have selflessly donated to our fundraisers over the years.The City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta.
  • The Griesbach Playground Committee: Jim Chronopoulos (Chair), Joylyn Teskey, Karen Kempin, Alison Mould (Community Recreation Coordinator, City of Edmonton)
  • The Griesbach Playground Fundraising Committee: Brad Tilley and Stacy Felkar
  • The Griesbach Community League Board of Directors, past and present.

Maple Leaf Park will be a source a fun, amusement and pride for many many years to come. It is a project that brought the whole community together and demonstrated why Griesbach is one of the best places to live and raise a family in Edmonton.

We can’t wait to see the smiling faces of the kids as they scale the climber, soar on the swings and navigate the bike bumps. Playtime is just around the corner!

 

Pictured: GCL Board and Community members following the vote.

 

Griesbach to raise flag to kick off Pride Festival.

Friday, June 3rd
7:00 pm
Patricia Park

Once again, Griesbach Community League will be flying the rainbow flag in recognition of the 2016 Edmonton Pride Festival. A brief flag raising ceremony will be held at Griesbach’s Patricia Park (located at the main traffic circle at Griesbach Parade). We invite residents and friends to join us.

 

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Griesbach Community Cleanup – this Saturday.

Saturday. May 28th, 10 am
Meet at MGG School Parking Lot
All ages welcome!
 
Can you help us tidy up our community? We’ll provide the pickers and garbage bags (we have some gloves). The goal is to focus on the areas around the lakes, boulevards and green spaces
 
Just show up at the school parking lot and we’ll assign you an area. If it’s overcast or drizzling we’ll go ahead. If it’s pouring we’ll reschedule.
 
Questions? Email Melissa: programs@griesbachcommunity.com
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Please respect Griesbach construction zones.

Canada Lands wishes to remind residents that there are several active constructions zones in our community (see coloured sections on map below). For your safety, please obey all signs, keep out of fenced areas and avoid heavy equipment – whether it is parked or in use.

Fencing is about to go in around Stage 11. A reminder that Griesbach Road between the hill and Martin Avenue will be closed for construction related to Stages 22. It is expected to reopen in November.

 

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GCL Special Meeting called to approve playground expenditure.

SPECIAL MEETING OF GRIESBACH COMMUNITY LEAGUE.
Thursday, May 26, 2016
7:00 pm, Major General Griesbach School
All members welcome.

Following extensive community consultation and fundraising, the Griesbach Community League Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has unanimously approved the construction of Maple Leaf Park playground at the May 4, 2016 Board Meeting. Pursuant to Bylaw 13.4,the Board requires approval for an expenditure above $10,000 from its membership. The Griesbach Community League will be holding a special meeting on May 26, 2016 at 7pm at Major General Griesbach School to hold a vote by the membership for the approval of expenditures above $10,000 for the purpose of building a playground at Maple Leaf Park. You must have an active 2015-2016 Griesbach Community League Membership to vote.

If we get this approval things are looking good for us to apply to have our playground built for fall 2016. It’s been a long journey, but we will have an incredible playground that will be a source of pride for the neighbourhood.

Tell the City if you feel children’s sports should be exempt from new user fees: survey

IMPORTANT: The City of Edmonton is looking at introducing new user fees as a revenue tool. Edmonton Minor Soccer Association and the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues are concerned of a potential fee imposed on field rentals – which they estimate could add up to $70/child to the cost of community sport programs.

They are encouraging all residents, particularly those with children in sports to participate in the City’s survey and tell them to exempt sports from further fee increases.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY. FILL IN YOUR COMMENTS WHERE ASKED ON QUESTION 4.

A suggested comments may be “No user fees for minor sport leagues to help physical activity for our kids affordable.”

Hurry, the survey ends May 10th. Help us ensure that there are no impediments to encouraging children to remain active through these valuable sport programs.

Your voice is important.