New Hall Coming?

I certainly hope so…on behalf of the current and past Board of Directors, the Ritchie Hall Revitalization Committee (RHRC), league members and Ritchie residents, I am pleased to announce that we have finalized site and hall plans! We have applied to the City of Edmonton for development permits and are awaiting a response from both the federal and provincial government on their support for funding assistance for this incredibly forward-thinking project.

Click picture for project details and detailed drawings

Almost 10 years have passed since we began planning to replace Ritchie’s dilapidating community hall. In the intervening period, its condition deteriorated such that the league has prioritized a new building. RCL faced some unique challenges throughout the planning and design phases, including the following:

• The League does not own the land upon which it operates. Instead, it leases land from the City of Edmonton. As such, capital improvements are subject to an extensive (and helpful) City review process and the League must meet standards that exceed the usual bylaws and building codes.

• Since it does not own the land, RCL is not eligible for a mortgage. To build any capital assets, the League must rely on grants funding and fundraising.

•  The grants for which the league is eligible have tight timelines and require an extensive amount of volunteer time. Moreover, they are often oversubscribed and amounts fluctuate from year to year.

• The cost of construction (labour and materials) has exploded since 2018 and continues to increase due to supply chain issues, wildfires, global conflicts and inflation.

Nevertheless, the League persevered - the RHRC has applied for development permits, a federal grant and for Alberta Capital Plan funding. We are currently putting together a tender package.

You can see some of the drawings and learn about where we’re at on our website (direct link here). There’s also some background information, if you’re not familiar with the project.

Some key learnings and highlights in the construction drawing process are as follows:

• Regardless of whether the League renovates or builds a new hall, the site infrastructure below ground requires an overhaul. This means the electrical service lines, water lines, drainage, and parking lot are not grandfathered and require updating.

• To prevent damage to elm trees, to align with programming needs (provided during engagement), and to keep the hall operational during construction, the new building will moved to a different site within our licenced area.

• The cost of the project is greater than what the League’ can save by collecting donations or in selling t-shirts. The only way to raise the money needed is through grants, partnerships, and fundraising. And we’re not the only league with this challenge…

• Designing a facility that is safe, accessible to all, resilient to extreme heat, cold and wind, and that can produce as much energy as it uses, requires highly qualified professionals and comes at a very high cost.

Community Safety

In support of our members and to benefit the neighbourhood, the Ritchie Community League is committed to sharing resources and tools with residents to help ensure a safe and healthy community.

Quicklinks: 

• Important numbers based on the situation 

• Guide to positive interactions (pdf) and training video (50 min).

• Residential Property Safety video (50 min) and guide using environmental design.

• Lots of tips, guides, and help, including information in multiple languages, found on the Neighbourhood Enhancement Team’s website.

When to call 911

If you see a crime in progress or if you encounter a person who is violent towards you, call 911.

If you witness someone causing damage to property or someone watching a house, lurking around, etc. with the intention of monitoring someone.

When to call 211, option 3

• If you see someone in distress, or behaving erratically

• If you see a person regularly sleeping in public areas

• If you witness aggressive panhandling

When to call 311

• If you come across an encampment, tent or shelter on public or private property.

• If you see people smoking in a non-smoking area.

Resources and actions

For community safety initiatives, the following resources and actions support community safety.

• A printed version of this guide with directions on who to call in what circumstances will be available at league events.

• On July 24, RCL hosted an introduction to personal safety while in the community…more workshops to come!

• Watch the on-line presentation on how to have positive interactions who are agitated or aggressive (50 minute video).

• Can’t do the video? Check out The Positive Interactions Guide.

• RCL can work with the community safety liaison on assessments for areas that have negative interactions and strategies that foster position interactions. This can be for individual households or a public area. Contact inquiries@Ritchie-League.com for questions or interests.

• The league is looking for an instructor to teach self-defense, with drop-in workshops this fall/winter.

• We encourage everyone to talk to your neighbour, say hello when passing someone on the sidewalk, and keep an eye out for each other and one another’s property.

The Ritchie Public Market

Tuesdays from 3:30 - 7:30 pm

Hello Ritchie. Here we "grow" again!

The Public Market in Ritchie is here for a third season starting on June 6.

The Public Farmers Market operates from 3:30 to 7:30 pm every Tuesday until September 26.

As in the years prior, the market will host fruit, local veggies, artisan handicrafts, meats, seafood, etc. Let's not forget the food trucks that will be there as well. We look forward to having you visit us often this summer.

Questions about the market or any vendors wishing to join, can call Patrick at 780-913-2586.

See you at the Market!

Volunteer Opportunity

Would you like to help out at the Ritchie Public Market? We have a Ritchie Community League booth at the market and need volunteers to help run it. Sign up for your spot today.

Position Filled: Program Coordinator

DUE TO the Canada Summer Jobs grant REQUIREMENTS, Applicants must be aged 18-30.

APPLY BY June 23, 2023. THIS POSITION IS FOR 8 WEEKS, 35 HOURS/WEEK, starting in early July.

To apply, send your CV or resume to Nicole at vice-president@ritchie-league.com . Use the  subject line: Ritchie Program Coordinator.

While we thank all folks for applying, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The COMMUNITY EVENTS & PROGRAMS COORDINATOR agrees to lead, execute, and support community events and summer programs for the Ritchie Community League (RCL). This includes developing marketing initiatives, collaborating with other volunteers and stakeholders, and organizing our summer programming.

RCL members value activities that bring people together and support inclusion. RCL will endeavour to create opportunities for all-age events and full-time programs.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS 

• Minimum 1 year of experience in program delivery, with a focus on children and/or youth programs 

• Experience in planning projects with multiple stakeholders is required 

• Experience with an Edmonton Community League is desirable 

• Experience with logistical coordination for events 

• Be willing to work variable hours with the occasional evening or weekend committee meetings.

The Community Events and Programs Coordinator position offers 35 hours per week at a $20 per hour rate of pay.

The New 2023/24 Ritchie Community League board!

Let's welcome the Ritchie board of directors for 2023/2024!

We've got an exciting year ahead of us.

Executive:

• President: Carly Steiger

• Vice-President: Nicole Ritchie

• Treasurer: Yetayale Tekle

• Secretary: Lisa Kercher

Directors:

• Past-President: Avnish Nanda

• Civics Director: Corina Ganton

• Events Director: Robyn Kaulback

• Hall Revitalization Director: Jeff Ollis

• Volunteer and Memberships Director: Gary Ritchie

• Fundraising Director: Bradley Lafortune

• Director at Large: Dan Desnoyers

You can find more information about the board on the ABOUT US page.

Community League Bike Month Challenge

We've got some exciting news for this year's Community League Bike Month Challenge. Our pals at EFCL are taking over administration of the challenge! We've collaborated on a swanky new toolkit, and are looking to recruit even more leagues this year. The challenge starts June 1.

Are you a cyclist who wants to help Ritchie defend our title? Find - and join - the Ritchie United club on Strava.

You can also email your weekly totals to ritchie-united@ritchie-league.com each Sundays.

Do you want to bring the Bike Month Challenge to your community league?