Public Health Restrictions:
Effective Immediately:

• Outdoor and indoor social gatherings are now restricted to only those in the same household, including in indoor workplaces. People who live alone may still have up to two non-household close contacts.
• A mask mandate is now in effective for Alberta – masks are required in all public spaces. Farms are excluded from the mask mandate.
• Community halls remain CLOSED

Effective December 13, 2020 at midnight:

• Retail businesses, including shopping malls, can remain open at 15 per cent capacity allowed under the fire code. Places of worship can remain open/active at 15 per cent capacity.
• Restaurants, pubs, bars, lounges, and cafes must close in-person service. Takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery services will be permitted.
• Casinos, bingo halls, gaming entertainment centres, racing entertainment centres, horse tracks, raceways, bowling alleys, pool halls, legions, and private clubs must close.
• Recreational facilities such as fitness centres, recreation centre, pools, spas, gyms, studios, camps, indoor rinks, and arenas must close.
• Libraries, science centres, interpretive centres, museums, galleries, amusement parks, and water parks must close.
• Businesses offering personal and wellness services such as hair salons, nail salons, tattoo parlours, and massage businesses will also have to close.
• Funerals and wedding ceremonies will be limited to 10 people.
• Regulated health services such as physiotherapy, social or protective services, shelters for vulnerable persons, emergency services, and soup kitchens can remain open for in-person attendance.
• Hotels may remain open but must follow sector specific guidelines: no spa or pool use or in-person dining. Room service is permitted.
• Working from home is mandatory unless the employer requires a physical presence for operational effectiveness 
  

 
Note: The restrictions do not apply to service visits for caregivers, health- or child-care providers, or co-parenting arrangements.

The ice rink is now officially open to the community (as of 9:00 am Sunday November 29). Thanks to the ice crew for their many volunteer hours that were required to build up the ice sheet. It is very fortunate to have ice to skate on in November. Due to the importance of physical distancing, a porta-potty has been installed for the season and extra benches will be provided. The community hall will remain closed at this time. Please be mindful of the current physical distancing guidelines. 

Play safe and be kind.

If you would like to volunteer to help maintain the ice rink, contact Dave Browne, the Ice Rink Coordinator, at ice@standrewsheights.ca 

Yesterday, the Province of Alberta announced another state of public health emergency imposing new restrictions on individuals and businesses. 

Social gatherings remain the largest source of transmission and so effectively immediately:

• No indoor social gatherings: outdoor social gatherings are allowed, with a maximum of 10 persons.
• Funerals and weddings – Max 10 people.
• Faith Services: 1/3 of capacity, mandatory masking
• Masks will be mandatory in indoor workplaces.
• Restaurant rules will continue in enhanced areas (Edmonton / Calgary or others with 50 cases per 100K) – NEW: Dining in restaurants/bars, etc. can only be done with members of one’s household, in enhanced areas.
• Closed:
  • Banquet halls, conference centres, trade shows, auditoria and concert venues, non-approved/licensed markets, community centres
  • Children’s play places or indoor playgrounds
  • All levels of sport (professional, semi-professional, junior, collegiate/universities and amateur). Exemptions may be considered.
  • Casino TABLES – however, slots can remain open
• All customer facing businesses will be limited to 25 per cent of fire occupancy limits.
  • Retail businesses and services
• Appointment only businesses
  • Professional services
  • Personal services

These measurers are mandatory and those that break these rules will be subject to fines of $1,000. They will be in place for 3 weeks and then will be re-evaluated. In addition,

• Students K to 6 will continue in-school learning but will begin winter break Dec. 18 and return to classes Jan. 11.
• Students Grades 7 to 12 will begin online learning Nov. 30, end Dec. 18 and return on Jan. 11.

An emergency alert will go out later this week on the cell phone network to alert all Albertans. If these measures are not successful, more strict measures will be required. Premier Kenney encourages us all to do our part. 

All the detail can be found at: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx#toc-3

As we anticipate another skating season, we want to congratulate Nik Rasula for 25 years of coordinating the ice rink maintenance crew at St Andrews Heights. During that time, Nik recruited and trained a volunteer crew that is second to none.

Nik has now retired and we have a new Ice Crew coordinator:  Dave Browne.

Please consider joining the ice rink maintenance crew, no experience is required, as we offer on the job training to learn the art and science of ice making.

In a typical year, our most experienced members start building-up the ice surface in late November (weather dependent) and the rink is ready for skating in early December. The bright Calgary sunshine and Chinook winds usually end our season by early March. A typical rookie crew member’s  time commitment is 3 outings of 2 hours each.

Here are some of the benefits of being on the rink crew – giving back to the community by providing a healthy outdoor activity for all ages;  obtaining fresh air and exercise (no need to go to a gym);  end of season volunteer party (held at a secret location)

You can contact Dave at ice@standrewsheights.ca  

The St. Andrew's Heights Twitter account is activated again. You can receive regular updates via Twitter @SAHCA-YYC.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website!

Many thanks to Jeremy Mortis who has revamped our site. For those of you who are unaware, Jeremy is our digital guru behind the scenes in our community!

We would like to extend our gratitude to Gwen Schafer who has maintained our website for years. Gwen and her husband Jeff built our original site and we are thankful for their continued contributions to the community.

There appears to be a pack of coyotes in the off-leash park area and they were a very happy group this morning. The yelping and calling were in full force starting around 5:20 am. Be aware that they are in the neighbourhood and do not leave your pets out unattended.

We have had a report about a homeless encampment in the treed area by the 11th Ave-Crowchild pedestrian overpass between St. Andrews Heights & West Hillhurst: There has always been encampments there on and off for many years with no problems that we are aware of. Yesterday some people were hiding in the trees wearing scary masks and jumped out to chased some children on the path. Police attended the scene but could not do anything about the encampments due to COVID restrictions. The campers did not attempt to grab the children and did not continue pursuing them. If you encounter a problem like this please call the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234. If you feel you are in an emergency situation then call 911.

Targeted health measures will take effect on Nov. 13 to curb the rapid growth of COVID-19 in Alberta and protect the health system.  Alberta’s government is implementing additional health measures to help protect hospitals, keep schools and businesses open, and protect vulnerable Albertans.