Much ado at Whyte Ridge CC

Whyte Ridge

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/05/2025 (386 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On April 14, the Whyte Ridge Community Centre held its 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) under the current constitution. There have been some substantial changes over that time, including the amalgamation with the Whyte Ridge Residents Association and the split from the co-management arrangement with the Westridge Community Centre. The period has seen the development of the grounds and building, with recent projects including the re-development of both hockey pens, renovating the interior, the planting of trees and native prairie, and a new splash pad.

One of the interesting changes made at last year’s AGM was the streamlining of some of the task-defined board positions (for example, rentals and programming, house and grounds, fundraising, etc.) to six director-at-large positions. Some of these tasks are now assigned to funded staff positions (programming manager, general manager and assistant manager).

Ben Carr, our local federal member of parliament, was in attendance at this year’s AGM. He’s taken over as the MLA for the area from Terry Duguid, a long-standing active participant in community centre activities and Whyte Ridge advocate. The change is based on the change in electoral boundaries. Ben was asked to speak at the event, and given the upcoming election (at the time of the AGM) I was impressed that his speech wasn’t political and focused on the value of community centres and his commitment for support

Janice Lukes, our local city councillor (Waverley West), was also in attendance, as always, and congratulated the efforts of board members over the past year, especially out-going past-president Kimberley O’Hara.

The 2025 AGM has established an impressive 13-person board, including what seems to be broad demographic representation, which bodes well for reaching interests of community members. Kirill Pirgalin, the long-serving soccer program director, has taken over as president, and the AGM has established a new community engagement director position. Goals this year include improving visibility in the community; strengthening relationships with other community centres, recreational organizations and various levels of government; creating specialized committees to improve efficiency; continuing the various programs such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, badminton, summer camp, and various fitness classes; expanding seniors and after school programming; and continuing to plan events such as the summer carnival and possibly reviving the Run at the Ridge event.

This year’s board of directors seem like a really good group, but there are board positions still available and spots on organizing committees, so if you live in the area and want to jump on board. Visit whyteridge.ca if you’re interested.