Your Braeside Beacon (September 2025)

As summer winds down and we head into fall, there’s lots happening in and around our community. This issue brings you important back-to-school updates (including what to know about the ongoing teachers’ talks), details on our Back to School Bash with a mobile obstacle courses from Fitset Ninja and free pizza from Boston Pizza, and a chance to explore Calgary Culture Days all month long.

You’ll also find news about our Mini Titans Market and how you can share your ideas to help shape the future of our community spaces. Plus, check out updates on pickleball plans, upcoming elections and the city-wide Curbside Treasure Hunt.

It’s a busy season, but it’s also a great reminder of what makes Braeside special. Why not take the opportunity to try line dancing, yoga, or even skipping this fall?

Communal is up and running… so what are you waiting for? Come get communal-icated with your community.

You can now:

Register for programs like line dancing, yoga and youth skipping with ease.

Renew your membership: If your membership lapsed last year, you can use this link to rejoin. We have lots of amazing new perks and discounts that you won't want to miss!

Book facilities more efficiently for birthday parties, meetings, or events. And it’s all easier for office staff and volunteers to manage, meaning more time spent helping you!

This Labour Day, as families pack lunches and sharpen pencils, there’s still some uncertainty about what the school year will bring. Teachers and the province have not yet reached a new contract. While both sides remain at the bargaining table, teachers have the option to call a strike until October 7 and the employer group has voted to support a potential lockout.

For now, both the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District expect classes to begin as scheduled on September 2. Still, families are encouraged to keep an eye on updates and have a back-up plan in case job action happens later this fall.

Families looking for child care options in their community can use the Child Care Lookup tool or call Child Care Connect at 1-844-644-5165.

New backpack? Check. Fresh school shoes? Check. Shiny pencil case and a colourful duotang or two? Check. Whether the kids are in class or not, back-to-school is a season all its own and what better way to celebrate than with our BCA Back to School Bash!

Bring your family and friends for an outdoor obstacle course adventure and delicious slices of free Boston Pizza.

And we couldn't have done it without Servus Credit Union, our banking partner. We thank them for their most generous grant of $1000!!

​A Summer to Make Braeside Proud

Thank you to everyone who supported our young entrepreneurs this summer! The Mini Titans Market has showcased creativity, teamwork, and determination, and our kids have made Braeside proud with their crafts, artwork, and treats. These little legends remind us that big dreams start small and some might just grow into Calgary’s future leaders, innovators, and maybe even Dragon’s Den pitchers.

Final date: September 12 from 4–7 PM at the BCA Parking Lot

Let’s finish the season strong! Come support our youngest community members and celebrate what these little legends have accomplished.

Calgary Food Bank Citywide Food Drive

The Calgary Food Bank’s annual citywide food drive is coming up on Sept. 20. This year, they’re inviting communities across Calgary to help cover delivery routes and boost donations. A community sign-up night will give neighbours a chance to claim routes and volunteers are also welcome at a kickoff breakfast on the morning of the drive. Together, we can help make sure every route is covered and every donation counts.

Celebrate Calgary Culture Days this September

Culture is everywhere! From murals to music, food to festivals, Calgary Culture Days (Sept. 1–30) is your chance to discover something new about our city and maybe about yourself too. Free, family-friendly and full of surprises.

Franca Gualtieri, Manager of Arts and Culture at The City of Calgary, shares how arts and culture initiatives enhance Calgary’s sense of community and belonging.

Find events near you at calgary.ca/culturedays​

What Makes Braeside Feel Like Home?

For some, it’s the sound of the trains at Heritage Park, a bike ride at the Oakridge pump track, or watching hot air balloons drift above our gardens. For others, it’s sailing on the reservoir, a quick walk to Southland Leisure Centre, or bumping into neighbours at the dog park.

Now it’s your turn — what do you love most about Braeside and our surrounding neighbourhoods?

Is it a place to connect, stay active, let the kids play, or simply enjoy a quiet moment?

We’re taking a closer look at how our community spaces are used today, what’s working well and where there’s room to grow. With all the little things that make Braeside special and what might be possible here, we want to hear your ideas.

Help us shape the future of our spaces and how we can make it even better!

That’s why the BCA is launching a six-month project to take a closer look at our spaces, programs and priorities, so they reflect what matters most to the people who live here. Your input will help shape what comes next. It only takes a few minutes to share your thoughts in this qualitative survey. It closes on Friday, September 5th!

Calgary’s next General Election is on October 20, 2025, and if you’ll be away or can’t make it to a voting station during the Advance Vote or Election Day, you can now request a mail-in ballot.

The deadline to have a mail-in package sent to you is October 3, 2025. After that, you’ll need to pick it up in person from the Elections Calgary office. To request your ballot or check eligibility, visit electionscalgary.ca or call 403-476-4100.

Help Make the Election Happen

Want to take part in one of Calgary’s biggest community events? Elections Calgary is hiring 5,000+ election workers to support the vote this October.

It’s a great way to show civic pride, meet neighbours, and help democracy in action. You just need to be 16+ and eligible to work in Canada.

Applications open in August at electionscalgary.ca.

Courts for the Community

Great news! The BCA has been granted funding to transform the outdoor rink into seasonal pickleball courts. We’ve been gathering ideas from the City of Calgary and other community associations and a committee has now been formed.

If you’re interested in getting involved, email pickleball@braesideyyc.ca.

Curbside Treasure Hunt: One weekend. Thousands of finds. Endless possibilities.

On Sept. 6 and 7, join the city-wide Curbside Treasure Hunt by setting gently used items on your curb, marked “free” for neighbours to take. It’s a fun and easy way to give your things a second life and keep usable items out of the landfill.

How it works:

1. Clear the clutter

​Find gently used items you no longer need—books, toys, small furniture, electronics, etc.

2. Label it “FREE”​

Clearly mark each item with a “FREE” sign. Only labeled items are part of the event. Download signs at calgary.ca/treasurehunt

3. Set it out​

Place your items neatly at the curb Saturday morning.

4. Treasure hunt!

​Explore your neighbourhood and discover free finds all weekend long.

5. Wrap up by 5 p.m. Sunday​

Take in anything left and consider donating to a local charity.

For safety reasons, please don’t put out items that could be hazardous or not safe to reuse, such as:

• Mattresses

• Toilets

• Baby gear or safety equipment that may not meet current standards

Do you live in a condo or apartment? You can participate as well! Coordinate with your property manager to establish a shared drop-off location.

You can find your treasure map at calgary.ca/treasurehunt to help treasure hunters find their way and allow participants to post where items are available across Calgary. Let’s keep good things out of the landfill and in the community—happy treasure hunting!

With love,

Your BCA Board