Overview of discussions at March 25, 2026 VVCA board meeting:

– SUM Theatre preview show, Thursday May 14, 7PM, Raoul Wallenberg Park (10th Street & Munroe Avenue).
– Spring Clean-up, Saturday, May 30. Meet at Church of Latter-Day Saints parking lot, 10th St & Cumberland.
– meeting held regarding Colonial area issues. Notes to come.
– meeting planned for newsletter committee to discuss editorial process
– next civics meeting to discuss upzoning draft document
– rink light pole replacement is going ahead, waiting for better weather. Working on coordinating Brunskill student assistance in maintaining rink.
– President Murray Park: memorial bench policy is in development by City. Dog poo issues. Lighting requires much planning with different City departments. Planning a committee meeting, requests input of ideas for park.
– spring program registration held on March 24.
– need new Equipment Coordinator.
– what to do with old VVCA jerseys?
– outdoor soccer awaiting final accounting. Payment to SYSI upcoming.
– Albert Community Centre construction continues
– neighbourhood parking issues on University Drive. Contact City to reduce 2-hour parking to 1-hour on some streets.
– Mann House to prepare proposal and budget for festival idea.
– concern about ‘jungle gyms’ attached to trees during winter. Develop an article for August newsletter.
– next meeting is the AGM, Wednesday, April 15, 7PM

Overview of discussions at the November 19, 2025 regular board meeting:

– cross-country ski trails request has been submitted. City will be only doing Grosvenor Park trail.
– street trees update: representatives from VVCA, Nutana Community Association and SOS Trees attended the public hearing and spoke out against the proposed City bylaw to allow front yard underground excavation/parking for multiplexes. The bylaw passed unmodified, however the City expressed hope that admin would find more effective methods of public consultation. Also, a representative of SOS Trees will be part of any discussions where developers and urban forestry disagree.
– 14th Street tree planting project is going well. Two spruce trees that were eaten by rabbits are been replaced by the City. Watering going well. Project under budget this year.
– winter 2026 indoor programs are booked. Tae Kwon Do had a successful competition in Scotland, winning 6 silver and 2 bronze.
– Basketball program is looking for coaches to form Junior and Senior skills teams.
– Brunskill SCC suggested a rink warm up shack with water access be built. Shacks can be expensive and lack security, and water access is difficult. Quote will be asked for.
– work continues on contacting rink board advertisers to renew contracts. Principal contacted regarding students destroying the ad boards.
– newsletter going to printer at beginning of December. Johanna attended City newsletter workshop.
– Albert Community Centre renovations continuing. Some delays, but not unexpected due to project size and complexity.
– discussions about Colonial Hotel and frustration in neighbourhood with increased theft, vandalism, needles, garbage. Possible meeting with Hotel manager or invitation to future meeting?
– trees in President Murray Park: Cate, of City urban forestry/parks, attended along with Councillor Jasmin Parker. Plan to deal with trees will take time and (scarce) resources. Preliminary plans are to plant east end of park (Wiggins Ave) in 2026 with a few deciduous trees. Contract for stump removal (grinding) will be tendered in spring 2026 with work done in summer.
– next board meeting will be January 21, 2026.

Overview of discussions at the Wednesday September 17, 2025 VVCA board meeting:

– VVCA has applied for a City WinterCity micro-grant for a winter skating and hot chocolate event in January.
– Unfortunately no Parks representative was able to attend the meeting to discuss the trees in President Murray Park. Councillor Parker stated that ~70 trees were in decline or dead and therefore removed. Cause was likely drought and extreme heat. There is a plan to replant more diverse species, but questions remain about budget and timeline. VVCA may be interested in partnering with City (and possibly Patterson Gardens) to replant some of park. Question whether they will be grinding the (approx 8″ high) stumps?
– A tent was spotted in President Murray Park this week. Fire department is responsible for dealing with homeless encampments. Fire department has 48hr response time due to backlog of cases. Email seems to be a good option for reporting – send a photo with location.
– tree planting at 14th Street: money spent on refilling water tanks and tree wraps. Trees doing well. More wood chips needed and some will be provided from excess at the community garden. Tree Canada event later in September will be planting more trees east of our location.
– upcoming Open Houses on USask Properties development south of Merlis Belsher Place: Sept 22 and Oct. 1.
– City survey open on the 2026-29 Strategic Plan. Please review. Accessibility plan survey is also open until Sept. 22. Review of VVCA bylaws to come. VVCA has paid the school invoice for rink electricity use.
– all programs are running.
– basketball registration information to come soon from SMBA. After that, teams and schedules will be set up.
– two teams registered for indoor soccer. May have a practice-only format for U5 soccer, waiting for registration results to confirm.
– VVCA asked if association can groom cross-country ski trails independently. No, only City can do it.
– rink snowblower needs to be serviced. Need a work-bee to clear rink, fix some boards and ready it for winter. Need to renew contracts with advertisers and replace any damaged signs.
– winter newsletter deadline is December 1. May only need 2000 copies printed next time as there were extras left over from door to door deliveries.
– Albert Community Centre is being renovated. Schedule may be a little behind, which can be expected when doing work on an old building. ACC is accommodating long-tern tenants during the construction, which means few or little outside bookings.
– website moved to new server, complete with SSL.
– community garden had 124 plots, with about 80-90 families or groups participating. Fall clean up coming this Saturday.
– some concerns about new sidewalks that have curb cuts for driveways – tend to accumulate snow and ice in winter, making them awkward for walking. President prefers newer style (suburbs) sidewalks with rounded curbs. Discussion in future.
– Next meeting is Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Overview of some of the discussions at the June 11, 2025 VVCA board meeting…

– VVCA 40th Anniversary Celebrations – final preparations for event on Saturday June 14.
– committee formed to update bylaws, etc.
– receive and approve the 2024 financial statements.
– fall program registration will be Thursday September 4 and Tuesday September 9, 2025.
– leftover drinks and candy from SUM Theatre event will be sold at 40th Anniversary event.
– Albert Community Centre tender process is complete and a company has been selected to begin construction. Details still being finalized.
– some vandalism to one of the signs at the Brunskill rink. Also someone ransacked VVCA equipment at the school.
– VVCA social date set.
– next meeting, Wednesday, August 20. Location to be determined.

Overview of some of the discussions at the April 16, 2025 VVCA board meeting that followed the AGM:

– thanks to Matthew Wiens for his term as President over the last two years
– Councillors report: homeless shelter downtown on Pacific Ave opened recently, although it is only a temporary (18 month) solution. Four possible permanent sites are being considered within the City, and negotiations are happening with the province to narrow down to one location. Public engagement will follow.
– comments about property crime in neighbourhood. Issues with Colonial Hotel on 8th Street?
– possibly a recent cycling death on Clarence Avenue?
– SUM Theatre performing Thursday May 15, 7PM, Grosvenor Park. New play is “Breathe” and free to attend. Need volunteers to deliver flyers. VVCA will sell snacks and drinks before the show.
– Community Cleanup on Saturday, May 3, 8am – 1pm. Bins will be located at Church of Latter-Day Saints parking lot (Cumberland and 10th Street). Need volunteers and trucks!
– invoice for ski trail grooming should come mid-April. Question whether there were third-parties available to groom President Murray Park next year.
– Year 2 of 14th Street tree planting area: spruce had bark stripped by rabbits and may not survive, replacement plan needed; new mulch likely mid-May; costing signage; projecting three water bin fills this year; budget submitted.
– 4 outdoor soccer teams registered, 8 volunteer coaches. Season starts in May. Schedule just released by SYSI.
– spring programs on the go: Badminton, Tae kwon do, Intermediate Spanish, Yoga. New location for program supplies and equipment.
– rink done for the season. Have to spray weeds in the rink area.
– Albert Community Centre renovation tenders should close April 17. Renovations may cause issues with rentals. Currently no permanent City rep on ACC board.
– Brunskill SCC hosting movie in the park June 7.
– inquiry from school about possibly paving the rink surface.
– community garden cleanup mid-May.
– 40th Anniversary event: volunteer signup sheet to be created online; street barricades, stage set up by City; distribution of flyers in early May and early June; possible t-shirt sales; BBQ by VVCA; Douglas and Ted will emcee event; bike valet and bike tuneups; 5 live bands and 4 dance groups, games, history walk and much more!

Next meeting is Wednesday May 21, 2025, 7PM, Brunskill School library.

Overview of discussions at the February 12, 2025 VVCA board meeting:

– more exciting details on the 40th Anniversary Event on June 14. Still looking for some sponsorships – any suggestions?
– spring newsletter deadline is March 1.
– U of S is developing mixed-use residential concept plans for the land south of Merlis Belsher Place. Open house held at Field House on Feb. 26. Invitation to USask Properties to speak at our March board meeting.
– Community cleanup meeting on Feb. 28 to determine date. (Saturday, May 3 chosen).
– Treasurer arranging for audit of books before AGM in April.
– discussion about signage for tree planting area on 14th Street. Trees Canada has a grant available if we want to plant another location.
– trees dying in President Murray Park.
– indoor program registration will be Tuesday March 18, Brunskill School front foyer. Programs listed on website.
– outdoor soccer registration is open until March 15.
– Brunskill School will be adding two portables, which will affect our access to VVCA sports equipment. Another location possible?
– rink crew has new keys for access to school rooms needed for rink maintenance. Rink in good shape.
– committee formed to update rink board advertising options.
– skating classes cancelled due to extreme cold.
– discussion about items for spring newsletter. Article about Albert Indoor Playground group requested.
– Albert Community Centre request for tenders have gone out. Uncertainty about effect on building access and rentals.
– community garden is resting. Returning gardeners will be contacted mid-April to register. Any remaining spots will be open to new members in early May.
– next meeting is Wednesday March 19.

Overview of discussions at the January 15, 2025 VVCA board meeting:

– new City Councillor Jasmin Parker attended and gave a report: Administration to report on options for snow and ice services improvement. Park design and development standards review. Parks Assets review on closing gap between old and new neighbourhoods. E-scooter trial has ended and council will likely recommend continuation of program. Snow clearing on residential Bikeways streets. Albert Community Centre terms of reference updated to include representatives from VVCA and Nutana Community Associations.
– Matthew was contacted by U of S group looking at developing the University’s endowment lands. Possible future meeting to hear details?
– grant application submitted to Sask Lotteries for the VVCA 40th Anniversary event this summer. Park booking has been submitted.
– spring newsletter deadline March 1.
– only Grosvenor Park will be groomed for cross-country ski trails this year. Had hopes of getting an independent contractor to do President Murray, but no luck.
– SUM Theatre will be having preview show Thursday May 15 in Grosvenor Park. VVCA likely to host a BBQ. Honorarium agreed to be paid to SUM. Shows continue in City parks from mid-May to June.
– last meeting with City Community Liaison Kevin Ariss. His replacement, Sara, was introduced. City no longer doing outside sign work, ie: sign for 14th Street tree planting area. Will provide list of sign printers to Josh. Start planning for spring AGM.
– financials look good. Longer term investments showing some returns. Hope to get books to accountant by end of January.
– programs: registration was January 7 and 9. Tae Kwon Do instructor featured in recent Costco magazine. Two programs, Beginner Spanish and Folkdancing, not going ahead this term.
– possible Basketball Coordinator located?
– outdoor soccer league registration coming early February. Details to come.
– rink in good condition. Some cracks during very cold weather, but managed with community and crew help. School rekeying means access to some rink equipment is a problem. Rink board advertising contracts are due to be renewed. Some board(s) may need replacing.
– community garden registration for returning gardeners will commence in April. Any open plots for new gardeners will be available in May.
– next meeting Wednesday February 12, 2025

Overview of discussions at the October 16, 2024 VVCA board meeting:

– Constable Tomaz of the Saskatoon City Police Services spoke about how to best create our own personal safety. Thank you for coming to the meeting, speaking and answering questions!
– discussions about inviting a Sociology professor to talk about the effects of surveillance.
– special events committee for VVCA 40th anniversary event discussed plans. Date is Saturday June 14 (so far) and primary goal is to engage kids and have interactive activities for all. Need to confirm details, create budget and then apply for grants.
– VVCA will contact City about application for maintaining community ski trails (Grosvenor Park and President Murray Park). VVCA authorized expenditures.
– Winter newsletter deadline is December 1, off to the printer by December 15.
– City organized rink coordinator event coming up at the end of October for anyone interested.
– fall street sweeping has begun.
– financials look good. Will do some higher-interest GICs for short terms.
– tree planting on 14th Street had some donations made, which will go to water for next year and maybe a sign. Working on a sign for the site to explain purpose and thank people and organizations who helped.
– indoor programs going ahead. Babysitting is now complete with a good turnout. Winter session programs will be booked October 28.
– two indoor soccer teams are off and running, with games running from October 26 to March 9, 2025.
– Fredy has been working on the rink boards.
– City has informed our Albert Community Centre representative that VVCA (and Nutana Community Association) will no longer be part of the management committee of the Centre. This was a surprise. Terms ends at the end of 2024. Any recourse?
– Community Garden has had a good year, despite some homeless visitors and crack pipes. Sheds were broken into a couple weeks ago. Finances are good.
– next meeting is Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 7PM, Brunskill School library. All are welcome to attend.