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History
League Founded: 1984
First President: Alan Coghlan
Residents of Belmead first became active in civic affairs
in 1977 when they participated in a campaign with the new
community league of Aldergrove for more parkland and less
multiple housing in the west end. The result of this campaign
was a compromise: while residents wanted 2 acres of parkland
they eventually settled for 1 1/2. In 1979, residents of Belmead,
along with those of Aldergrove and La Perle, participated
in discussions with the city that led to the extension of
the community by 1,000 feet to the west. Hugh McCarthy represented
the communities at city hall.
After this early activity, planning and organizing for Belmead
Community League got underway. The emergence of the league
was confirmed by an overwhelming majority at a public meeting
held on January 10, 1984 at St. Benedict Elementary School.
The executive elected at the meeting was comprised of President
Alan Coghlan, Vice-President Colin Heisler, Secretary Robyn
Dunaway and Treasurer Gary Gregg. The first program directors
were Russ Bannister, Judy Wilkie, Reg Appleyard and Bill Dunaway.
Before the development of a community hall was undertaken,
Belmead Community League used the facilities of two area elementary
schools: Belmead and St. Benedict. A rink was built in the
spring of 1985 on the grounds between the two schools but
was unused because of unanticipated problems with obtaining
water to flood the ice. The league and Parks and Recreation
worked on a solution so that ice could be made and a trailer
moved on site for change-rooms.
The first Belmead Community League newsletter was published
February 6, 1984.
On March 11, 1995 the new Belmead Community Hall was officially
opened. Special guests and community residents made the event
a great success. Aldermen Bruce Campbell and Leroy Chahley,
MLA Karen Leibovici, along with representatives from the Wild
Rose Foundation, Edmonton Parks and Recreation and the the
Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues participated in the
opening and were all highly complimentary of the work done
by the Community League in planning and completing the building.
The Millennium Dinosaur Dig and Playground were constructed
May 19-20, 2000 with the official opening held September 16,
2000. The Dig provides an educational component to the new
Playground as children excavate the replica Corythosaurus
cast in cement under two feet of sand. The project was made
possible with the help of numerous volunteers and sponsors
including the Community Facility Enhancement Program of Alberta
Lottery Fund, the Government of Canada's millennium initiative
- the Canada Millennium Partnership Program, the City of Edmonton,
the Belmead Community League, the Belmead Public Elementary
School and St. Benedict Catholic School.
The hockey rink was scheduled for replacement in the Fall
of 2003 and completed January 2004.
Belmead celebrated its 20th Anniversary
with a Block Party on January 29, 2005. We enjoyed conversation,
a great roast beef dinner and "Bob the Comedian"
was our entertainer. The children also had fun with the qualified
program leaders doing crafts and getting their faces painted
throughout the evening while the adults socialized.
The 2009 and 2008 Annual Fall Carnivals
have been very successful, please click
here for the 2009 report and click
here for the 2008 report.
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