History of RCA

RCA Presidents

The first issue of Riverbend Review (the official community newsletter) was published and delivered to 800 homes on Feb 25, 1987

The first community association meeting was held on March 4, 1987 at Ogden United Church. The interim executive were (left to right):

- Treasurer -Tom Spielman
- President- Lindsay Keating
- 2nd VP -Glen Edwards
- Secretary -Sandra Farham
- 1st VP- Kari Portman

Riverbend Community Association was formally established on May 4, 1987 under the first President -Tim Spielman

100 households purchased the membership

The association’s first order of business was to secure a location for the community centre. The first site, located on Riverbend Drive and Riverside Way, donated by Genstar, was rejected by the membership by one vote
The second location on Rivervalley Drive and 18th Street was donated by Carma
RCA hosted regular bingos (via King’s Bingo) and casino fundraisers to raise money for the community centre
Funding was secured and the construction of the building commenced

Looking from 18th Street where the community centre is currently located

Looking towards 18th Street from the current community centre parking lot

President Dan Morris is very excited to kick off the construction

RCA obtained the title to the building in May and the building officially opened on Dec 31
A New Year’s Gala was held to celebrate the official opening of the building
Over 80 organizations such as Girl Guides, Scouts, churches were contacted to provide services to the community

Aerial view of the community centre site

May-Flagpoles were dedicated to celebrate wonderful community volunteers

Larry Walper led the effort to construct a boarded outdoor rink with support of the $18,000 Amatour Sports Grant from the Parks Foundation
City of Calgary donated lights and boards
Lafarge donated gravel and asphalt for the pleasure rink
RCA had 750 members through the efforts of Trudy Dumont and Yvonne MacDonald who organized membership drives
The community voted 75% in favor of a year-round, multi track elementary school

RCA celebrated 20th Anniversary

RCA Celebrated 25th Anniversary

RCA Celebrated 30th Anniversary

Launched new online membership platform
Christina Matisons won the elections for the new RCA President during the Nov AGM
Mind Design Studio a long term publisher of Riverbend Review went out of business

A major capital project funded by CFEP grant to replace HVAC and conduct parking lot repairs
Great News Media took on publishing the Riverbend Review newsletter in Feb
Summer- We love Riverbend INSTAllation project and launch of Instagram account and #riverbendyyc
Kitchen appliances were replaced thanks to ENMAX Energizing Spaces grant
AGM got permanently relocated to November and new fully revised by-laws were approved

During Covid19 pandemic lockdown we took the opportunity to complete several renovations including: replacing floors on the main level, replacing tables and chairs, replacing all original appliances with modern energy efficient models and upgrading security and locking systems.
The Maciejewski family donated Little Free Library.
Olga Maciejewski was elected President during Nov AGM
Read more in our 2019-20 Annual Report:

2019-20 Annual Report.pdf

-its green spaces and trees

-the Bow River and its connection with the community

-the pine trees also represent houses in the community

We finalized 2022-24 Strategic Plan
We purchased two new branded outdoor signs to ensure residents are connected to all things Riverbend!
RCA celebrated a 35 year milestone with a big 'Year of Celebrations' outdoor event
at which we were able to officially unveil the new custom RIVERBEND bike rack- art piece
Read more in our 2021-22 Annual Report