May 2025 newsletter
Hello, Ward 1!
As we head into the summer months, I want to take a moment to thank you for staying connected with the Ward 1 Office. It’s been a privilege to keep you informed and engaged on the issues that matter most to our communities.
With the upcoming municipal election this fall, this will be the final Ward 1 newsletter from my office for this Council term, unless otherwise approved for emergency purposes. This change follows the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), as mandated by the Government of Alberta. The Code of Conduct for City Council also outlines additional regulations that apply specifically during the campaign period.
As such, official newsletter communications from the Ward 1 Office will pause beginning June 1 and resume after the election. This has been common practice for several election cycles and reflects our commitment to fairness and transparency.
I hope you have a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable summer. Thank you again for your continued engagement and support. Please don't hesitate to reach out to myself or the Ward 1 Office if you have any concerns or questions about city services - the election isn't until October!
All my best,
Sonya Sharp
News from City Council
$20M funding for splash pads and community centres passes without budget review
On April 29, Council approved a motion to allocate $20 million toward enhancements for splash pads, wading pools, and community centers across Calgary. While supportive of investing in local amenities, Councillor Sharp voted to refer the funding proposal to November budget deliberations for further review. Her concern was not with the projects themselves, but with the process.
Councillor Sharp believes that transparent decision-making is essential, and such proposals should go through the regular budget process. She pointed out that committing $20 million mid-year without a clear breakdown or assessment from Administration risks making funding decisions in isolation.
While the motion ultimately passed, Councillor Sharp will continue advocating for a clear, accountable approach to budget decisions.
Improving water disruption response passes at Council
Additionally, on April 29, Council unanimously approved Councillor Sharp’s motion to strengthen customer service standards during essential water service disruptions. The motion, first brought to Executive Committee on April 15, directs Administration to improve how the City communicates with residents and delivers temporary supports when water service is interrupted.
Councillor Sharp brought this motion forward in response to concerns from residents and businesses who have experienced inconsistent or unclear communication during past disruptions. She believes access to clean water is a basic necessity, and the City must be proactive and responsive when service is interrupted, whether due to planned repairs, emergencies, or infrastructure failures.
With Council’s approval, Administration will now begin a comprehensive review of existing service standards and bring forward recommendations by July 29, 2025. These will include steps to ensure timely updates, equitable access to alternate water sources, and clearer expectations for both customers and City teams. Councillor Sharp’s motion also calls for new tools to track disruption data and gather public feedback, ensuring future improvements are driven by Calgarians’ lived experiences.
This work marks an important step toward more accountable, consistent service during water emergencies, reducing hardship and uncertainty when Calgarians need support the most. You can read more about Councillor Sharp's motion at calgary.ca/ward1.
Community updates
Calgary Marathon road closures in Bowness – May 24 & 25
Heads up, Bowness! The Calgary Marathon is expanding to two days this year, Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25, as 17,000 runners take on their victory lap through Calgary. Portions of Bowness will be impacted by road closures on both days.
Plan your route in advance by checking the interactive map for road closures and detour details. Visit calgarymarathon.com for the latest updates and full event information.
Ward 1 mobility programs
The City of Calgary has a full slate of infrastructure projects planned for Ward 1 in 2025 to improve safety, accessibility, and mobility.
You can review the full list of current and planned upgrades and maintenance programs below. To explore these projects in more detail, use the City’s interactive Mobility Programs Map. You can enter an address or zoom in on your neighbourhood to see what’s planned nearby.
Here's a snapshot of what's ahead:
- Street lighting upgrades
- Several locations across Silver Springs, Scenic Acres, and Bowness will see upgrades to street lighting to improve visibility and pedestrian safety. Most projects are scheduled for completion in early to mid-2025.
- Road safety improvements
- Traffic calming measures, including curb extensions and median barriers, are underway or planned for areas in Tuscany, Rocky Ridge, Royal Oak, and Bowness. These improvements are designed to reduce speeds and make crossings safer for pedestrians.
- Pathway repairs & new connections
- Pathway lifecycle replacements are planned for key spots in Silver Springs, Baker Park, Tuscany, and along Nose Hill Drive. A new asphalt pathway will also be installed behind Royal Birch Point NW to close a missing link in the pathway network.
- Traffic signal updates
- New traffic signals and pedestrian flashers are being added in Tuscany, Royal Oak, and Rocky Ridge to improve crossings at busy intersections. Several are already completed, while others are in progress for later this year or next.
- Pavement rehabilitation
- Major roads including Sarcee Trail, 16 Ave NW, 32 Ave NW, Crowchild Trail, and Nose Hill Drive will undergo asphalt replacement to extend lifespan and improve driving conditions.
- Concrete & accessibility repairs
- Dozens of locations will see concrete repairs, including curb cuts and sidewalk maintenance through the Wheelchair Ramp Program and general Concrete Rehabilitation efforts, helping make our streets safer and more accessible for everyone.
Rocky Ridge Boardwalk update
The Rocky Ridge Boardwalk will remain closed for another season due to safety concerns. The City has secured funding for the design phase and is planning accessibility upgrades, including improvements for wheeling and reduced mobility users. Construction is targeted to begin in Spring 2026, pending additional funding. The boardwalk will stay closed until upgrades are complete to ensure safety for all users.
TransCanada Sanitary Trunk Project: Construction underway near Forzani Way
Work has begun on the TransCanada Sanitary Trunk (TCST), a major wastewater infrastructure project supporting Calgary’s future growth.
Crews are currently working near Forzani Way, preparing for underground tunnelling, tree removals, and utility relocation. Some Caragana plants will also be removed, and the area will be restored following construction. The City’s Urban Forestry team will replant trees in a location of need to help maintain Calgary’s tree canopy.
Residents impacted by the work have been contacted directly, and a second open house is scheduled for May 26 from 5–7 p.m. to provide updates on construction timelines and impacts. For more details, visit the TCST project page.
Sarcee Bow Functional Planning Study: final public engagement starts May 20
The City is launching the final phase of public engagement for the Sarcee Bow Functional Planning Study. This work will shape the future of travel in the area and improve access to Edworthy Park.
Following focused engagement with the Wildwood community, Option 2 was identified as the preferred design for Edworthy Park access and will be included in the recommended plan.
Upcoming engagement opportunities include:
- Online feedback: May 20 - June 9 at Engage.Calgary.ca/SarceeBowStudy
- Open houses:
- May 24 | 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Strathcona Christie Aspen Community Association
- May 27 | 5–8 p.m. | Rosscarrock Community Hall
- Virtual Q&A session: June 5 | 6–7:30 p.m. | Registration available online
Feedback from this phase will help refine the final plan.
City Service updates
Neighbour Day microgrants: Apply by May 31
Neighbour Day is an opportunity to celebrate community connections. New for 2025, the City is offering microgrants of up to $2,500 for small-scale, free-to-attend events that foster community connections and promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit calgary.ca/NeighbourDay.
Proposed changes to Edworthy Park parking lot
The City’s Mobility Department is exploring design concepts to formalize and improve the Edworthy Park parking lot. Similar to updates completed at Riley Park and the Inglewood parking lot, the proposed design includes paving, signage, marked stalls, lighting, and a drainage system.
Although Edworthy Park is located in Ward 7, our office has reviewed the project in collaboration with Councillor Wong’s office and City Administration. Councillor Sharp supports improvements that enhance accessibility, safety, and environmental performance but remains concerned about the possibility of introducing additional costs to Calgarians. She believes access to parks should be easy and affordable, and that basic services like this should not come with new financial barriers.
At this time, the proposed funding model has not been finalized. Councillor Sharp has shared resident concerns with the Mobility Department and the Ward 7 Office and will continue to monitor the project.
The Mobility Department will be gathering public feedback as part of their engagement process. Residents are invited to attend the upcoming session to learn more and share their input:
- Date: Wednesday, May 28 | Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: McGregor Hall, Nifty Fifties Seniors Association (3512 5 Ave NW)
Phase 5 of the City Building Program engagement
The City of Calgary’s Planning Department is launching Phase 5 of the City Building Program engagement. This phase invites all Calgarians to provide input on the next draft of the new Zoning Bylaw and its relationship to the Calgary Plan.
Since October 2023, the City Building Program team has been engaging with Calgarians to understand their experiences and values related to city planning. This input will help shape the future of Calgary's development and land use as the city grows. The outcomes of this work include:
- Calgary Plan: A consolidated planning document that merges the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan, guiding future land use and growth.
- Zoning Bylaw: The regulation governing how and where buildings can be developed.
- Street Manual: The guidelines for designing streets to support safe and accessible travel options.
Throughout May, there are several ways to learn more about zoning and share your feedback:
Engagement workshops
- Tuesday, May 20 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Residential
- Provide feedback on residential topics including housing, parking, and businesses in residential areas: Click here to register.
- Thursday, May 22 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Mixed Use & Commercial
- Provide feedback on mixed-use, commercial streets, large commercial sites, and industrial areas. Click here to register.
- Monday, May 26 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Residential
- Provide feedback on residential topics including housing, parking, and businesses in residential areas. Click here to register.
- Wednesday, May 28 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Mixed Use & Commercial
- Provide feedback on mixed-use, commercial streets, large commercial sites, and industrial areas. Click here to register.
In-Person community events
Join the “ask-a-planner” pop-up sessions to learn about the Zoning Bylaw and share your feedback:
- Saturday, May 17 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Genesis Centre (180-7555 Falconridge Blvd NE)
- Wednesday, May 21 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm | Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot (8100 John Laurie Blvd NW)
- Wednesday, May 21| 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Signal Hill Library (5994 Signal Hill Centre SW)
- Thursday, May 22 | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Village Square Leisure Centre (2623 56 St NE)
- Friday, May 23 | 11:30 am - 3:30 pm | North Hill Centre (1632 14 Ave NW)
- Saturday, May 24 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm | Dalhousie Spring into Summer Market (5432 Dalhart Rd NW)
- Tuesday, May 27 | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Cardel Rec South (333 Shawville Blvd SE)
- Thursday, May 29 | 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Remington YMCA at Quarry Park (108 Quarry Park Rd SE)
- Friday, May 30 | 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Sunridge Mall (2525 36 St NE)
- Saturday, May 31 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm | Save-On-Foods Walden (155 Walden Gate SE)
For more details, including event locations and times, and to provide feedback, visit Calgary.ca/citybuilding.
Free summer fun for kids, youth and families
Looking for engaging, free activities to keep the kids busy this summer? The City of Calgary is offering a variety of safe, supervised programs in Ward 1 for children, youth, and families. It's a great opportunity to make new friends, try something new, and enjoy the outdoors, all at no cost.
Children’s Programs
Join the fun at Stay n’ Play (for ages 3–5 with a parent or guardian) and Park n’ Play (for children entering grades 1–6). These drop-in programs run on weekdays:
Bowness Community Association (7904 43 Ave NW)
- July 7–11 | Mon–Fri
- Stay n’ Play: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Park n’ Play: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Silver Springs Community Association (5720 Silver Ridge Dr NW)
- August 5–8 | Tues–Fri
- Stay n’ Play: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Park n’ Play: 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Rock Lake Park, Royal Oak (70 Rock Lake Heights NW)
- August 11–15 | Mon–Fri
- Mobile Adventure Playground: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Youth leadership opportunities
Youth aged 11–17 can build their leadership skills through The City’s LEAD and LEAD 2.0 programs. These full-day sessions help young people gain experience, confidence, and community involvement. Pre-registration is required at calgary.ca/LEAD or by calling 403-268-3800.
LEAD Program
- July 7–11 | Mon–Fri
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Bowness Community Association
Family skateboarding lessons
Families can also join free Skate Spot skateboard lessons at the Bowness Skatepark (4324 77 St NW). Sessions run on a drop-in basis at three time slots:
- August 5 & August 12
- Noon – 12:45 p.m.
- 1 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
- 2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
For more programs across the city, visit calgary.ca/free.
All Sport One Day - June 21
All Sport One Day offers kids aged 6 and up the opportunity to try a variety of sports for free at multisport hubs across Calgary. With dozens of exciting activities to explore, it’s the perfect chance for children and youth to discover a new sport and spark a passion!
Event details:
Friday, June 21
10 AM – 3 PM
Registration opens June 10 at 6 PM at sportcalgary.ca (drop-ins are welcome too!)
Multisport Hubs for June 21:
- Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton
- Citadel Community Association
- The Genesis Centre & Saddletowne YMCA
- Glenmore Athletic Park
- Trico Centre for Family Wellness
- University of Calgary
- VIVO for Healthier Generations
- Ramsay Community Association
- 7Chiefs Sportsplex
- Millican Ogden Community Association
We encourage your team to join in on the fun by visiting a hub during their Neighbour Day activities!
Categories: General, Newsletter