July 2023 Newsletter

Howdy Ward 14!

I do not know about you, but I am excited that for the second time in a couple of years we will be celebrating the Stampede in a ‘normal’ way. It is almost starting to feel like those breaks in our regular routine are in the past. July is going to be fun.

Green Line Construction and the Stampede

The Green Line’s current Beltline and downtown early works projects will be paused prior to July 7, 2023, in time for the opening day of the Calgary Stampede to accommodate for the high event traffic. That means equipment and blockades will be moved, and traffic lanes will be restored to make it easier to get around during the Greatest Show on Earth.

To make way for the future Green Line stations and tunnel, construction is underway, moving utilities in the downtown and Beltline. The project will move underground, street-level, and overhead utilities, including City sanitary, water, stormwater and more. This summer Green Line will also begin construction in the community of Ogden with work present on 78 Avenue SE, 69 Avenue SE and near 72 Avenue SE. This work will continue through the Calgary Stampede as construction is not expected to affect downtown accessibility.

To learn more about Green Line construction, including work details, and impacts, visit: calgary.ca/GreenLineConstruction and visit calgarystampede.com for all you need to know about the Stampede.

New(ish) MLAs

Thank you to all who ran to in the recent Provincial Election and congratulations to all the new and returning Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) standing for Alberta, Calgary, and Ward 14. We have mostly familiar faces returning to represent the Ward 14 area this time, but one new face as well. Either way, it is just as important for Calgarians to reach their Provincial representatives as it is their municipal ones, so here is some information about your Ward 14 MLAs.

Calgary-Fish Creek: Mr. Myles McDougall

Constituency Office: Bay 7, 1215 Lake Sylvan Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2J 3Z5

Phone: 403.278.4444  Email: Calgary.FishCreek@assembly.ab.ca

Communities: Lake Bonavista, Bonavista Downs, Diamond Cove, Queensland, Deer Run, Deer Ridge, Parkland, Midnapore, Sundance

Calgary-Shaw: Honourable Rebecca Schulz

Constituency Office: Suite 230, 251 Midpark Blvd SE, Calgary, AB T2X 1S3

Phone: 403.256.8969  Email: Calgary.Shaw@assembly.ab.ca

Communities: Chaparral, Walden, Legacy

Calgary-Hays: Honourable Ric McIver

Constituency Office: 222, 5126 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 0H2

Phone: 403.215.4380  Email: Calgary.Hays@assembly.ab.ca

Communities: McKenzie Lake (south of McKenzie Lake Blvd)

Calgary-Peigan: Honourable Tanya Fir

Constituency Office: 255, 11488 24 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4C9

Phone: 587.392.8850  Email: Calgary.Peigan@assembly.ab.ca

Communities: McKenzie Lake (north of McKenzie Lake Blvd)

Managing Hot and Dry Summers

Extreme heat can put your health at risk, causing illnesses like heat stroke and even death. An extreme heat warning is issued when two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 32 degrees, or warmer and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to be 16 degrees or warmer.

Here are ideas to help keep you safe during this extreme heat:

• Avoid working or exercising intensely in the heat or humidity when possible
• Drink plenty of water to decrease your risk of dehydration
• Have cool drinks in your vehicle and keep your gas tank full
• Wear sunscreen
• Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle
• Close curtains and blinds during the day
• Open windows for cooler air if safe
• Avoid using your oven, if possible
• Take cool showers/baths or go to an air-conditioned public space
• Look at weather forecasts to know when to take extra care

You should be keeping an eye out for your pets too. Bare concrete can get extremely hot, and dogs have a fur coat so consider whether it is reasonable to take the dog out for a walk in the heat. If you see a dog left in a hot vehicle you can call 911, and do the same if you think you or someone around you is experiencing heat stroke (heat stroke symptoms). It is a medical emergency.

To learn more about what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit calgary.ca/getready.

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YardSmart

The City’s YardSmart program is designed to help keep our rivers healthy and help create a green and healthy city. You can visit calgary.ca/yardsmart to learn how to create a beautiful yard or green space that is easy to maintain, is suited for our city’s unique climate and needs little watering during hot and dry conditions. You can also visit calgary.ca/droughtinfo for more tips on caring for your yard during dryer times through the summer.

The City has several free resources available:

• Garden bed layouts for all areas of your yard – wet, dry or a combination of sun and shade
• Plant lists to help you choose beautiful and low-maintenance plants at your local garden centre
• How-to video series, including gardening on a budget and planning a garden bed
• Native wildflower plant lists and native meadow garden bed design

The program was created in partnership with the Calgary Horticultural Society to help craft garden designs that thrive in Calgary and support our natural environment.

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Feel free to contact me any time. The best way to contact me is by visiting calgary.ca/contactward14 or calling (403) 268-1653.

Happy Trails!

-Councillor Peter Demong