The Beltline Neighbourhoods Association (BNA) is a vibrant community association for the Beltline district in urban Calgary home to over 25,000 residents in the neighbourhoods of Connaught and Victoria Park.
Based out of the McHugh House Community & Arts Hub, the BNA is non-profit organized by a volunteer Board of Directors who work to make the BNA an accessible and diverse association open to all residents to get involved in making the Beltline an even better place.
Here's a rundown of our 2023 activities...
We Hosted Great Events
2023 BUMP Festival
In August, we hosted the annual BUMP Festival - Calgary's street art Festival. Over the course of the year, we commissioned over 90 new public works including murals, graffiti works, Road Works, and out newest collaboration with Calgary Transit: Transit Works! Numerous events around the community included mural tours, BUMP UPs, the Graffiti Jam + 3x3 Tournament at High Park, Downtown Alley Party feat. BAMBII, and outdoor screening of DUNE at High Park. Check out all the new murals at yycbump.ca.
2023 Beltline Bonspiel at Lougheed House
The 2023 Beltline Bonspiel was a triumphant return of the classic outdoor curling tournament with partners Last Best Brewing and Inner City Brewing. Check out all the photos here.
We Advocated for Beltline Neighbourhoods
11 St SW Underpass
We continue to advocate for the completion of the 11 St SW underpass, so we can finally close the last at-grade crossing in the inner city. In 2022, the City released the results of their public engagement and analysis on the preferred option dedicating the street to an active modes underpass and urban park! Read more about it here.
Flood Mitigation: Springbank Reservoir
It’s been seven years since the devastating floods that impacted Victoria Park in the Beltline as well as Downtown Calgary and many surrounding communities. After years of planning, the Springbank Reservoir is finally under construction to help mitigate future flooding of the Elbow River. The $423M project is jointly funded by the Government of Canada. More info can be found here.
14th and 15th Ave SW Mobility Improvements
Thanks to the advocacy of the BNA, the City is moving forward with design work on protected cycle tracks and streetscape improvements on these avenues between 12th St SW and 1st St SE. Designs will be released this winter with construction beginning spring/summer 2024. More info here.
Supervised Consumption Site (SCS) at Sheldon Chumir
We continue to advocate for an evidence-based response to the opioid epidemic that involves community-focused solutions. We’ve publicly called for the Government of Alberta to adopt a community-focused, evidence-based action plan that includes:
- Letting healthcare experts lead the response to the opioid epidemic
- Supporting local communities like Beltline by reducing local pressure and providing more distributed services across the city to respond to increasing demand
- Support a broad range of treatment as called for by healthcare experts
- Support decriminalization of drug possession and safe supply of drugs to help break the cycle of addictions and drug related crime
We Planned for the Future - Beltline Urban Development Committee
Over the course of our twice per months meetings we’ve reviewed and provided feedback dozens of development permits in the Beltline, met with developers, City Planners, and local stakeholders to help with better urban development in the Beltline. The committee is open to all Beltline residents who want to get involved in improving the the Beltline neighbourhoods.
Rivers District Master Plan & Beltline ARP
We’ve engaged with the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and the City of Calgary to provide input and feedback into the Rivers District Master Plan and the new Beltline ARP.
We will continue to stay engaged with CMLC, the City of Calgary, Calgary Stampede and other stakeholders with the new developments of the BMO Convention Centre Expansion and the new Event Centre.
Event Centre
We continue to advocate to ensure that any public funds contributed towards a new arena for the Flames demonstrate meaningful and material public benefit. Beltline was has been closely engaged with previous design proposals and pushed back on significant shortcomings.
We Created New Parks for Beltline
Humpy Hollow Park - Opening Spring 2024!
This project has been years in the making. Launched in 2018 by the BNA as an initiative to revision this neglected park on the east end of 17th Avenue, it has evolved into a fully funded $3.25M capital investment (with contributions from The Beltline Community Investment Fund) designed by DIALOG with construction completion and opening of the park anticipated this Spring 2024! The newly renovated park will feature an enclosed off-leash dog park, outdoor covered performance stage, ramp access to McHugh House BNA Community & Arts Hub, wave seating, centralized plaza with movable furniture, new lighting, and prominent BUMP Murals. Full details here.
HIGH PARK - Phase 3
This summer we launched Phase 3 of our successful HIGH PARK rooftop public space featuring new murals, a larger astro-turf lawn, and three full-size basketball half-courts - the highest in the city!
Outdoor fitness programming 2023. (Image source: @ydn.yyc)
We Created New Ways to Stay Connected
The Beltlandian Brief
We launched the Beltlandian Brief, an online version of the popular Beltlandian friendly Beltline neighbourhood zine delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up here.
We Created New Ways to Help Each Other
Beltline Fridge
We believe in solidarity, not charity. The Beltline Fridge is a volunteer-led project that enables food to be shared within a community. Anyone can bring food or take food without limits or barriers. It is maintained by a network of residents and local businesses and not only reduces food insecurity in our community, but mitigates food waste as well. Learn more about how you can help.
HELP US KEEP BUILDING A STRONGER, BETTER BELTLINE.