WebStamp June 27, 2016
Communities Creating Calgary
Ever since communities developed around Fort Calgary the resilient and communal character of Calgarians always being quick to help out their neighbours, especially in troubled times, has prevailed throughout its 140-year history. Depending on the needs of the social order of the day numerous institutions such as churches, professional associations, friendly societies, social clubs and charitable organizations have developed to help Calgarians in times of need and improve their standard of living.
Calgary’s first public transportation, hospitals and welfare aid were begun as civilian ventures run by private institutions to create communal benefits for all have been the general direction Calgary has followed. Developing new, or updating existing, civil social resources that did not work through private societies alternatively resorted reluctantly to government intervention. The friendly societies of the time were squeezed out by lack of funding from voluntary donations by people having to pay more taxes for these social programs.
Even today Calgarians continue to create institutions to celebrate good times and help their neighbours, especially in times of need, as seen on many occasions, especially with the flood of 2013.
Providing Calgarians with recreational programs and facilities such as outdoor rinks began forming since the 1920’s. One of Calgary’s oldest communities, Elbow Park, officially incorporated its community association in 1930 and Mount Royal and Scarboro followed shortly thereafter. After WWII Calgary’s population dramatically increased as did the community associations filling the needs for increased recreational and social activities.
The Federation of Calgary Communities was developed by 47 community associations during the 1950’s after seeing a need to coordinate and link the resources available from all the different community services. This would give all Calgarians greater enriched and higher maintained options and activities to participate in by having the communities and organizations working together.
Let us all bring out that resilient Calgarian character and get together with your communities and improve our local economy by creating a community-based infrastructure that will benefit us all. WebStamp is your voice to the community and use it as your tool to connect to your neighbourhood
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