Malmo Plains Infrastructure Renewal Committee (IRC) Update

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Since assuming the helm of the IRC in August, 2017, the Malmo Hall Renewal project has been busy.  After extensive community input and research into community needs essential to modernize the existing Malmo Hall and to meet future demands of a growing community (Edgeway & Michener Park Redevelopment), the Malmo Hall vision was developed with an estimated cost of $1.5 to $1.8M. The Malmo Community League (MCL) has $250K that will be matched by Westcorp to the tune of $200K for an initial project budget of $450K that can be matched by government grants of $400K (City of Edmonton) & $1M (Government of Alberta). Depending on funding success in the next 9 months, the IRC has developed project budget scenarios that range from $850K to $1.8M achieved by reducing the scope of the project but still reflects the key messages from the community: 1) Update the existing Hall aesthetics; 2) Rework, add-on or expand the Hall spaces; and 3) Modernize services like the kitchen to better serve and accommodate major events like tonight’s MCL bi-annual spaghetti supper (Thanks Amanda Prentice for Organizing!!!). The IRC has arranged displays of the MCL Hall Renewal project vision plans in the skate change room (see below). Plus there is space on the 2nd page of this handout for you to provide feedback. You can also contact Chris Ouellette, IRC Chair @ ircchair@malmoplains.com or 780-887-1637.  This handout will be made available along with other Malmo Hall Renewal project details on the MCL website:  www.malmoplains.com.

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I send my regrets for not attending MCL’s 2018 Fall Spaghetti Supper (I am in the Kootenay’s celebrating a 90th birthday party), but Amanda Prentice knows how to put on a party!!!  Please enjoy the great food with friends & neighbors!

Chris Ouellette

Malmo Plains Community League Chair, ircchair@malmoplains.com or 780-887-1637.

Annual Spaghetti Dinner

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Malmo’s annual spaghetti dinner will be held on Saturday September 29 from 5pm to 8pm. Come down to the Malmo Community Hall (11525 48 Ave) to enjoy some spaghetti, enter for some door prizes, and hang out with your fellow Malmonians. Tickets are just $5 per person or $20 for a family.  Community memberships will be available for purchase.

Volunteers are needed to pre-cook the spaghetti and sauce. We also need volunteers for the day of from 4- 9pm for set up, take down, ticket sales, alcohol sales, food management and food prep. The event can’t happen without you! Contact social@malmoplains.com to sign up or for more information. 

Malmo Spaghetti Dinner - September 30!

It’s a Malmo tradition! The annual Community Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Malmo Hall, which is located at 11525 - 48 Avenue.

Join us for good food, friends, and fun. Tickets are just $5 per person or $20 for a family. Drinks will also be available for purchase.

Everyone living in Malmo is invited to the dinner. You do not have to be a community league member to attend. Folks living in Michener Park and people new to Malmo are especially welcomed. We hope to see you there!

Invite your neighbours on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1931708150426455/

Here's a look from previous years:

Malmo Christmas PJ Party on December 10

This year on December 10th between 5:00pm and 8:00pm, Malmo Community League will be hosting a Christmas themed pajama party at the hall (11525 48 Ave NW)!

  • 5-6pm Crafts, Cookie decorating and Food
  • 6-8pm Movie (Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carrey) 

It is a PJ party, so bring your PJ's, your sleeping bags and camping chairs and curl up in the hall for a fun Christmas movie night with family and friends.  

Let your neighbours know.  Spread the word!  

Amanda Prentice
Social Coordinator
Malmo Plains

Malmo Hall Renovation and Expansion—Project Update

Please give us your feedback on the Malmo Community hall concept here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YHLWLPG

League Mission

The mission of the Malmo Plains Community League is to enhance the quality of life of people living in the Malmo Plains neighborhood by providing facilities and opportunities for sports, recreation, social, and community activities.

An Evolving Neighborhood

The Malmo Plains neighbourhood is located in south Edmonton, 9km from the downtown core. From the mid-1960s to 2004 the neighbourhood was comprised of 608 single-family homes and 530 townhome and apartment residences. In 2004, 99 condominium apartment residences were added. Currently under construction is a 611 unit apartment complex that will, in phases, increase the number of families living in the community by 50%. This infill of families will increase the size of community events to beyond the capacity of the current community centre building. More people in Malmo also increases the need for a more versatile building. There is no other recreation or community centre in, or planned for, the Malmo neighbourhood.

As the Malmo housing stock ages, and the new apartment development comes on stream, rental units will approach 75% of all residences in the neighbourhood. Our goal as a community league is to create a sense of belonging, involvement, and community with everyone--renters and home-owners alike. Key to achieving this goal will be the renovated and expanded Malmo Plains Community Hall.

History of the Malmo Hall

The Malmo community hall building was constructed in 1965 and renovated in 1980 and in 1995. A 2010 assessment of the building by Stantec Engineering revealed that the building, while structurally sound, has interior and exterior fixtures and finishes that require updating. This assessment has been confirmed independently by professional architects.

The Concept of the New Hall

The objective of the project is to create a community hall that, for the foreseeable future, serves the needs of an evolving, diverse urban neighbourhood. Driving this project is the desire to engage neighbourhood families, and especially youth, throughout the year. We envision a community hall that is a four-season venue for all manner of (a) outdoor sports and activities and (b) indoor community events and programs. We support the City’s goals for walkable communities, so we see the majority of hall users walk or ride their bicycles to and from the facility. Lastly, we see a hall that incorporates modern standards and technology for electricity and natural gas usage efficiency.

The project will see the renewal of the existing building, along with a new-construction expansion of the overall footprint. Key directions given to the architect include:

•    A main hall that is significantly larger than our current hall and is rectangular in shape.
•    The ability to hold multiple events simultaneously, without them disturbing each other.
•    A north-facing elevation that fits into the neighborhood, when combined with landscaping.
•    A south-facing elevation that allows engagement with the sand volleyball courts, skating rinks, and sports fields–perhaps with a courtyard or deck.
•    A design that supports the four-season, indoor and outdoor vision for the venue.

The concept drawings (PDF: Site Plan, Main Floor Plan, High Quality Rendering, Perspective) are intended to show general size and layout of the design, to be evaluated against the instructions given to the architect. The construction design is subject to change.

Project Funding

The budget is driven by the funds we can reasonably expect to assemble. Below is the budget for the project.

Source of Funds Amount
Malmo Plains Community League $225,000
Westcorp Property Management Inc. $200,000
City of Edmonton CLIP Planning Grant $25,000
City of Edmonton Major CLIP Grant $400,000
Province of Alberta CFEP Grant $100,000
Total Budget $950,000

Project Timelines

The timelines for the project’s remaining major milestones are below.

Major Milestone Date
Concept design completed by the architect 9/30/2016
Input to the concept received 11/30/16
City and Province grant applications submitted 12/31/2016
Construction design completed by the architect 4/30/2017
General contractor selected 6/30/2017
All funding in place 9/30/2017
Construction begins 10/1/2017
Construction ends 3/31/2018

Risks

The primary risks to the project are the denial of grant funding. Our mitigating strategy is to write the most compelling grant applications possible. Phasing the construction project is also an option.

A second key risk is our ability to incorporate in the final design the requirements placed on development on City of Edmonton parkland.

Annual Spaghetti Dinner, September 17

It’s a Malmo tradition! The annual Community Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 17, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Malmo Hall, which is located at 11525 - 48 Avenue.

Join us for good food, friends, and fun. Tickets are just $5 per person or $20 for a family. Drinks will also be available for purchase.

Everyone living in Malmo is invited to the dinner. You do not have to be a community league member to attend. Folks living in Michener Park and people new to Malmo are especially welcomed. We hope to see you there!

Invite your neighbours on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1158730777480541/

Here's a look from previous years:

Green Shack Program

School is nearly out and the dog days of summer are almost upon us. Families wondering how to keep their kids active and engaged all summer might want to check out the City of Edmonton's Green Shack program, which is returning to Malmo.

The free, drop-in style program will offer daily games, crafts, sports, music, drama and special events. It will operate in Malmo every Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. between July 4 and August 25 for kids aged 6-12. Kids under six are welcome as well, though they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To find it, just check Malmo Park, behind Malmo School, for the literal green shack, which will be manned by a Program Leader and assistant leader-in-training volunteers. The program runs rain or shine, and leaders are trained to ensure safety and fun are at the top of the agenda every day.

Daily activities and special events are posted on the side of the shack each week, so check it out if you're interested in a fun, educational, active and FREE way to get your kids moving this summer. 

Movie night, sleepover, and pancake breakfast

Come join us for an evening (and morning) of fun, including a Family Movie Night and Sleepover in the Park followed by a fabulous breakfast and activities!   June 17 and 18, 2016 at Malmo Hall.  

Movie Night
June 17, 2016
9:00-11:00pm
Bring your own chairs or blankets.  Popcorn to be provided.

Sleepover in the Park
June 17, 2016
Set up your tent in the Malmo field and sleep under the stars.

Pancake Breakfast
June 18, 2016
9:00am-12:00pm
Bring $2 and get a wonderful breakfast.  Fun activities (weather permitting).