How long have you lived in Bridgeland-Riverside? What do you like about living here?
My wife Judy and I have lived in Bridgeland for about 30 years; our son Matt has lived here for 20 years.
We like the parks, trees, friendly people and close proximity to schools and downtown. Living in the centre of Calgary has made getting to hockey and lacrosse venues easier as well.
How did you get involved in volunteering in our community?
I began volunteering with the BRCA after I stopped for a beer at the second-floor pub at the old community hall one night in the early 90s. From my recollection, Debbi Goss, the hall manager at the time, badgered me into helping out at Old Bridgeland Days, which was that weekend and I continued volunteering around here ever since.
What kind of volunteer activities have you done?
I was on the Board of Directors for most of the 90s, when our skeleton crew board was inundated with meetings with the City in the lead-up to the General Hospital implosion and the planning for Bridgeland-Riverside’s future development. (It seems to me the size of some of the buildings being built now is about double of what was planned back then.)
During those years, I also used to coordinate the delivery of the Bridges newsletter, and help out with the hockey rink. One winter I was hired as the emergency interim hall manager after an overnight departure by the hall management team at the time.
I’ve helped at most of our casinos, coached soccer, was an Adopt A Park volunteer helping to keep the big park free of litter, helped coordinate Community Clean-Ups and a tree planting project, and have been on the Traffic Committee and Beautification Committee.
What ideas do you have for volunteering in the future?
There’s always something that can be done to help improve the neighbourhood to make it more liveable, entertaining, and self-sufficient. The continuing development of new art and recreational facilities has been great to see in recent years and as the population keeps growing in Bridgeland-Riverside, I’m sure there will be opportunities to develop more local participation in various interests such as music, arts or sports.
What would you tell others in the community about volunteering?
Volunteering in the community will give you a good feeling. You can spend as many or as few hours as you are able to spare; any amount of time you can spend will be greatly appreciated and our community will be better due to your help.
What do you like most about volunteering for the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association?
When you volunteer with the BRCA, you don’t have to drive around the city; everything is a 5- or 10-minute walk away and you are working with friends, family and neighbours. There’s satisfaction in working with a group of residents when you’re helping to improve the community where you live.
During the pandemic are you still able to do volunteer activities in a safe manner?
During the pandemic I’ve helped with our Beautification team which has been able to have numerous group litter pick-ups, weeding and art projects as well as Zoom or outdoor monthly meetings.
What is a hidden gem in Bridgeland-Riverside that you have discovered and would like to share?
With hockey rinks and fitness clubs closed this year, in order to get some fresh air and exercise I’ve recently started riding my bike in the winter. I’ve discovered the bike paths are in better shape than most of the roads, they’re easy to navigate and they lead to great views and natural areas in and around Bridgeland-Riverside.