Land Use Committee Update

In the last edition of the Shawnee Evergreen Community Association (SECA) newsletter, we reported that we were hoping to meet with representatives of Shaw-Nee Slopes Golf Course to discuss the potential sale of this important community landmark. I’m pleased to let you know that Guy Matheson, SECA President, and I met with General Manager David Moote. The meeting was productive and positive, and opened the door to new opportunities for cooperation.

We discussed, in broad terms, different scenarios for the golf course and have agreed that SECA will support future plans that are acceptable to the community. That could mean, for example, that we will help facilitate communication between the golf course and residents of surrounding communities. We could also help the golf course lobby the City for necessary approvals – but only if the golf course plans are in alignment with our goals as a community. As we do not yet have a clear indication of the owners’ future plans for the course, we will continue to also invest energy in preparing to oppose any plans to redevelop the land for residential use. However, the meeting was a big step forward in terms of establishing dialogue on an issue that is critical to our community.

At the meeting, we also learned that the golf course has received an unusual number of phone calls from community residents expressing concern about the potential redevelopment of the land. While this is understandable, some of the calls were harassing in nature – aggressive in tone, etc. We believe these calls have come from a very small number of residents and do not reflect the character of our community, which is known for its good will and quiet nature. Phone calls like this do not help us maintain open communication with the golf course, which is in the best interest our residents, so we respectfully ask that they stop. Be assured that we will speak strongly on behalf of the community.

On March 18th, the Land Use Committee hosted a meeting for potential volunteers willing to help the community do research on issues related to opposing residential development of golf course land. About a dozen people attended. We are always looking for more volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please give me a call at the number below.

We received a letter of support from Millrise Community Association and expect others to follow shortly. Thank you, Millrise!

In other news, we followed up on a call from a resident, who inquired about surveying and soil testing activity taking place in Evergreen. The City of Calgary is creating stormwater run-off containments in communities bordering Fish Creek. Deep pipes will collect stormwater and snowmelt, and transport it to Fish Creek where the sediment will settle in ponds, purifying the water before it joins the natural water system. The City held a community meeting, but it was not well advertised. We contacted the City’s Project Engineer, who was very informative and cooperative. He said they will be hosting another community meeting to talk about the specific design of the system. We have asked to be notified about this event and we will post that information on our website: www.shawnee-evergreen.net.

By the time this edition of the newsletter hits your mailbox, the revamped SECA website should be up and running. The address stays the same, but the new look is vibrant and dynamic – in keeping with our community. Check it out at www.shawnee-evergreen.net. There you will find all the latest information about the community, including updates on the potential sale of the golf course.      

Richard Arnold
Chair, Land Use Committee
Shawnee Evergreen Community Association
(403) 236-9350/ arnoldrm@shaw.ca