July 3rd 2009

Tuscany Middle School

According to the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), the proposed Tuscany Middle School is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012 and construction should start in the spring of 2010. The Tuscany Community Association strongly supports the addition of a middle school in the community, however, a number of concerns have been raised regarding the development impacts of the school and its location.

Development Impacts

The proposed entrance of the school is on Tuscany Hills Way, a small residential road that was not designed to be the entrance of any large building. Can this road accommodate the increased traffic and street parking? Is this the best location for the entrance?

The rear of the building and the back of the 2 story gym will face Tuscany Way and Tuscany Boulevard, the community's main intersection. Will this design fit in with Tuscany's community aesthetics? What materials will be used on the exterior? How will the building look as you drive along Tuscany Way?

The middle school will be built on the most heavily used recreational field in the community. One baseball diamond will be taken out, and hopefully, the soccer fields will remain. Will this baseball diamond be replaced? If so, when and who will pay for the replacement costs?

To see the proposed design of the middle school, click here.

Location of the Middle School

The development impacts of the middle school lead to the question: is this the best location for the middle school? School locations were set aside almost 20 years ago by the City of Calgary, school boards and the developers of Tuscany. Since that time, Tuscany's population has grown to almost 18,000 residents making Tuscany the second largest community in Calgary. After 20 years, should the residents of Tuscany have a voice in public infrastructure projects and decisions, or should we rely on decisions made almost 20 years ago?

Normally, when a government agency builds any public infrastructure project, such as an LRT station or recreation center, there is a great deal of public input regarding the design and location of public buildings. Regrettably, there has been no opportunity for public consultation in either the building design or location sponsored by any of the three government agencies (Province, City and CBE).

Why is the Community Association involved in this issue?

The TCA does not want to delay the opening of the middle school. In fact, by raising our concerns this early in the process rather than waiting until construction starts next year, we are being proactive in addressing these issues now. If we would have waited until construction starts or the development permits were circulated, it may have been too late for structural modifications.

Another mandate of the TCA is to inform the community of large-scale developments and receive feedback from the community. We know there will never be 100% consensus on the design or location of any building. However, it is important that as a community, we discuss these issues collectively and everyone can “agree to disagree”. Community discourse is part of building strong communities!

The TCA's approach is to work respectfully and cooperatively with the Province of Alberta, Calgary Board of Education to address the community's concerns.

To see a copy of the letter the TCA has sent to the CBE regarding the middle school, click here.

What can I do?

First of all, if you have any questions or concerns or would like the TCA to know your view about this issue, please e-mail us at planning@tuscanyca.ca. All comments are welcome!

Secondly, if the development impacts or the location of the middle school concern you, please express your views by writing a letter to the appropriate officials.

To see addresses to send letters and accompanying facts, click here.

January 24th 2009

Community Meeting – Proposed Tuscany Middle School Development

The Tuscany Community Association inites you to attend a community meeting to gather your imput regarding the proposed Tuscany Middle School development and site.  Only issues pertaining to the physical planning and development of the building and site will be discussed. Your input is important to us, so that we may represent the consensus of the community on this important development.

Date: January 29 th , 2009
Time: 7:00- 9:00 pm
Location: Tuscany Club, 212 Tuscany Way NW

January 7th 2009

The Tuscany Community Association is looking for motivated individuals to coordinate the Youth T-Ball , Ladies' Soccer and Adult Slo-Pitch Leagues. Without volunteers these programs will not offered. For more information please contact allsports@tuscanyca.ca

The TCA Youth Outdoor Soccer League is planning for the 2009 season. Volunteers are needed for the following positions:

Please contact soccer@tuscanyca.ca for more information about the positions or to volunteer.

July 7th 2008

Crowfoot LRT update

Crowfoot Station

• Steel framing for the station is nearly complete and overall construction is progressing.
• Escalators are on-site and will be installed this month.
• Concrete for half of the second floor of the enclosure has been poured.
• Installation of the curtain wall (the outer shell of the building that provides the frame for the glass panels) will begin mid-July.

Park and Rides

• The east side of the south Park and Ride has been paved and lines painted.
• Site trailers have been moved to the north edge of the Park and Ride. 
• Grading and electrical and irrigation installation is underway in the west and south lots (south Park and Ride).
• Work in the north Park and Ride will begin in early August.

Crowfoot Rise and Crowfoot Circle

• Construction at Crowfoot Rise is ongoing. Base paving is complete and concrete work (curb and gutter) is ongoing. The right-out is expected to open in mid-July and the right-in will re-open in September.
• A portion of Crowfoot Circle will be closed adjacent to the Acura dealership beginning August 15 for construction of the entrance to the north Park and Ride (traffic circle). The closure is expected to last six weeks.

Pedestrian and Crowfoot Connector Bridges

• Both the Crowfoot Connector and pedestrian bridges are nearing completion and expected to be finished by the end of the month.
• The south Park and Ride access remains to be completed on the pedestrian bridge, and railing installation, tie-ins and final paving remain on the Connector bridge.

LRT

• All three electrical substation buildings are complete, and systems installation within the buildings is nearing completion.
• Track construction is complete to Nose Hill Drive .
• Trackbed preparation to the east of the station is complete. Track construction in this area (between Nose Hill Drive and the station) will begin this month.

Landscaping and Fencing

• Stormpond construction in the northwest corner is ongoing. Landscaping in this area will follow completion.
• Fence installation along the west side of the south Park and Ride has been delayed due to some land issues.
• Westcreek noise wall construction is complete with the exception of final grading and drainage.
• Final landscaping between 53 Street and Sarcee Trail is ongoing on both the north and south sides of Crowchild Trail is complete.

April 2nd 2008

Spring is a very busy time for us as we get ready for the many fundraising events planned for the year. This year the format of our Garage Sale has changed. We are hoping to hold Canada's Largest Garage Sale and make it a real community event. We are asking residents of Cochrane to host the garage sale in their own garages and donate all or a portion of their proceeds to the Society at a celebration party with surprise celebrities and a FREE appreciation BBQ. The celebration will be held at the shelter. The Garage sale is Sunday, April 27, sale time 9-3 with celebration time 4-5pm. We hope you can open your garages for the sale or come out with family and friends and do a lot of garage sale hopping and shopping! Register for the sale by calling 932-2072 or visit our website www.cochranehumane.ca. The shelter will be specially opened for adoptions from 11-6 that day as well.

February 22nd 2008

On February 29th at 7pm, there will be the All Candidate Forum held at the Upland Community Center in Hawkwood (20 Hawkside Road NW). Click her for a map.

January 30th 2008

The province announced funding for a Tuscany Middle School today in addition to a new high school for Arbour Lake which our kids are designated to attend. We don't have official timelines yet, but we hope to see the middle school open in 2011. Thanks to all of the parents who helped lobby the schoolboard and the Province to provide funding for these much-needed facilities!!!

October 22nd 2007

The Children's Cottage Society BTS has employment opportunities available for In Home Infant Respite Care Workers with a minimum of two years infant care experience. Flexible hours. Please phone 283-4275 for further details

To view our archived news articles, please click here.

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