History of RCA

1987

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


The very first RCA members were Dave and Linda McWilliam.

100 households purchased the membership

1988-1990

  • 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

1991

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

1992

Aerial view of the community centre site

1993

May-Flagpoles were dedicated to celebrate wonderful community volunteers

1994

  • 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

2007

RCA celebrated 20th Anniversary

Read Calgary Herald article from 27 Sept 2007

2012

RCA Celebrated 25th Anniversary

2017

RCA Celebrated 30th Anniversary

2018

  • 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

2019

  • 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

2020

  • 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

2021

  • RCA updated its logo and new branding guidelines

  • Community newsletter was renamed to Riverbend Connects

  • Our new logo connects all aspects of the community:

-its green spaces and trees

-the Bow River and its connection with the community

-the pine trees also represent houses in the community