The Supporting Partnerships for Urban Reinvestment (SPUR) project is a pilot project in the Kingsland community that has the goal of bringing The City and the community together to identify public spaces that need improvements, and then work together to make those areas better.
The project started in May 2012 when City Council approved $232,000 from the Council Innovation Fund to try a new approach to community improvements.
Project News
We are starting to plan how we are going to make the improvements that Kingsland residents have 
identified as a priority.
Public Art in Kingsland
A Kingsland Public Art Committee has been formed! Thank you to the residents who have volunteered to sit on the committee.
Traffic Signal Boxes
The first task of the Kingsland public art committee was to pick a locally appropriate theme for the Kingsland Traffic Signal Boxes and a theme has been chosen: Honouring Kingsland’s Roots and Moving Forward.
To respect this theme artists creating art for traffic signal boxes are asked to incorporate one or more of the following ideas in their proposed design:
Pigs – This idea references the pig farm that predated Kingsland
Crown/Royalty – This is a reference to the community name
The Fifties – There are many possibilities with this idea that references the decade when Kingsland was created
Family/Growing Up– Kingsland has always been a family-friendly community
From Farm to Farmers’ Market – This idea links the past use of the land with a notable local attraction
Traffic – This is a theme that references the current placement of the community between four major roads
If you are a local artist that is interested in submitting a concept for a traffic signal box in Kingsland please look at our 
call for artists. In addition to the requirements outlined in the city wide call, please add that you are a resident of Kingsland and describe how you incorporated the theme in your work.
‘Paint the Pavement’ or ‘Street Mandala’
Are you a local artist that is interested in submitting a design for an intersection painting? If so, please email spur@calgary.ca. We will connect you with the Kingsland Public Art Committee to create a design for the community to paint one weekend in the summer.
How to Get Involved
Now that Council has approved a budget for the project, we will be starting work on implementing the community’s ideas for improving Kingsland’s public spaces (please see the Project News section above for more information, especially if you are an artist).
You and your family can help by dedicating volunteer time to these projects through hands-on ‘sweat equity’ or by joining us for various celebrations throughout the implementation phase.
SPUR Volunteer Opportunities
Please watch for upcoming dates and details for each event on BOLD signs, the Kingsland Community Hall and on this webpage.
You can sign up to volunteer by calling Cheryl Herperger at 403-476-7278 or emailing spur@calgary.ca.
Community Clean Up: Saturday, May 25 at the Community Hall.
Paint the Pavement: preparation, stencil the design and paint in June.
Paint Back Alley Gates: details to be confirmed.
Playground improvements: painting and possible ground work.
Ongoing Celebrations: organizing a Kingsland party, BBQ or gathering at separate events.
Stay involved and in the loop by:
Project History
Over fall 2012, The City of Calgary and the Kingsland Community Association worked together to host two public open houses. On October 14, a Community BBQ was held to gather ideas for public space improvements. Approximately 75 residents attended to share their ideas. This event was followed up with an interactive online map where residents submitted their suggestions for improvement throughout the month of October. In total, 250 suggestions were received, which were then consolidated to allow for easy prioritization.
In November 2012, a second open house was held for residents to prioritize their public space improvements while enjoying some family fun activities. Approximately 60 people attended the event. Residents were able to prioritize their improvements online through an interactive map throughout the month of November. As people selected public space improvements, the cost of the improvements would be subtracted from the $227,800 capital budget; once complete, they could submit their ideal budget. Over 130 budgets were received and informed the final project list.
On January 19, 2013, The City of Calgary and the Kingsland Community Association hosted a Winter Ice-Skating Party to celebrate the public space improvement ideas the community selected and prioritized. Approximately 85 people attended this celebration!
The final SPUR budget was presented to The Priorities and Finance Committee and approved on March 12, 2013. Take a look at the improvement priorities to see what the community identified as important improvements.
Related Documents and Links
