Ritchie Community Engagement

Tier 1 The Community Assessment

Feb 1 2015

Angela Rout
One Block Village
5904 37st. SW Calgary Alberta T3E 5M7
403 830 9767
angelarout25@hotmail.com

Table of Contents
Tier 1 Community Engagement Process .......................................................................... 4
Interviews ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Describe the Problem ............................................................................................................. 4
The Ritchie Community League .......................................................................................... 5
What is a Community League supposed to do? ....................................................................... 5
The Current Board ............................................................................................................................ 6
A Volunteer Board ............................................................................................................................. 6
Building on Social Capital ..................................................................................................... 7
An Image of Ritchie ........................................................................................................................... 7
Volunteers ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Creating Property Value ................................................................................................................. 9
Programing and Use of the Richie Hall .......................................................................... 10
What are various current active programs ........................................................................... 10
Current Program Preferences Bulls Eye Chart ..................................................................... 10
How much do Programs Contribute to Ritchie? ................................................................... 11
Ritchie Programing Rubric ......................................................................................................... 11
The value of current programs .................................................................................................. 12
Missed Opportunities .................................................................................................................... 12
Ritchie Hall as a Rental Facility ................................................................................................. 13
Revitalization as a Means to Improve Current Programs ................................................. 13
Creating the Hall you want, BEFORE its built ........................................................................ 14
Serving the League Members ..................................................................................................... 14
Activating the Hall more often, creates a hub ....................................................................... 15
The Ritchie Hall ..................................................................................................................... 15
Perceptions of the Ritchie Hall .................................................................................................. 16
History ............................................................................................................................................... 16
Renovations ..................................................................................................................................... 17
Wheelchair Access ......................................................................................................................... 18
Kitchen ............................................................................................................................................... 18
Questions to consider ................................................................................................................... 19
Bathrooms ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Large Hall .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Small Hall .......................................................................................................................................... 20
Foyer, Coat Room and Office ....................................................................................................... 21
Park ..................................................................................................................................................... 22
Rink ..................................................................................................................................................... 22
The City of Edmonton .......................................................................................................... 23
Learning from Neighbors ............................................................................................................. 23
What other halls have done ........................................................................................................ 23
Support provided by City of Edmonton .................................................................................. 24
Moving Forward .................................................................................................................... 24
Leveraging an advantageous position ..................................................................................... 24
Costing a Renovation ..................................................................................................................... 25
Costing a New Build ....................................................................................................................... 26

A Third Option ................................................................................................................................. 26

Summary ................................................................................................................................. 27
Recommendations ............................................................................................................... 28
The League continuing the process ....................................................................................... 28
Tier 2 Engaging the Community ............................................................................................. 28
Tier 3 - Utilizing the Human Resources .................................................................................. 29
The Ritchie Hall Revitalization Committee ........................................................................... 29
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................... 30
Tier 2 - Outline of Purpose ............................................................................................... 30
LIST OF APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... 31
APPENDIX C Ritchie Bulls Eye Chart .................................................................................... 32
APPENDIX D SCENES OF RITCHIE .......................................................................................... 34
APPENDIX H RITCHIE LEAGUE HALL SITE PLAN ............................................................... 36

Tier 1 Community Engagement Process

Interviews
The Ritchie Community Engagement Project is a three tiered plan designed to
engage the community to help the Ritchie community League decide whether to
renovate or rebuild their current hall.
The first tier is an interview process, where interviews are held with an external
consultant (Angela Rout, from One Block Village) who has been hired to conduct the
engagement process. The second and third tiers clarify the information learned from
the interviews, allows for the rest of the community to voice their thoughts and
engages the community as a resource for the League.
For this tier, 29 people were selected by the Ritchie Hall Revitalization Committee,
which was appointed by the Community League Board. These 29 people were
contacted over email, or by phone to sign up for a 1 hour interview. 18 people were
interviewed. Those asked to interview included Board members, organizers of
various programing, the current staff member overseeing hall use, those involved
with hall maintenance, those historically connected to the hall and a business
member in the community of Ritchie. Interviews were conducted in the Ritchie Hall
over a course of four days from Jan 14-Jan 17 2015.
The purpose of the interviews was explained as a means to understand the values of
the community and to provide information for the next two tiers, so the Board can
decide how to move ahead with the hall.
In this document, the italicized, indented text, in quotations are quotes taken from
these interviews. The content of these interviews, an in person tour of the Hall, as
well as the documents listed, are the basis for the conclusions and suggestions
made in this report.

Describe the Problem

The Ritchie Community League is facing the question of whether to renovate or
replace their existing Hall.
The League has approximately $500,000 in the bank and it is understood that it can
receive a matching grant from the City of Edmonton for maximum $400,000. The
Community is using this to estimate that they will have approximately $1,000,000 in
funds available for a building development project.
There is some uncertainty as to whether this money is enough to cover a new
building replacement.
It is uncertain whether a renovation would provide enough of a transition to meet
current community needs.

The money that is currently in the bank must be spent in the near future because it is
from fundraising at the Casino.
The money needs to be spent soon and the League is figuring out the best way to
spend the money to benefit the community.
In order to conduct an accurate costing analysis that League has to know what
exactly it is asking for and what building design would best suit their community. This
report is the initial part of a three step process to outline of needs for a new Hall ad
advise on how best to move forward.

The Ritchie Community League

Ritchie is vibrant Community League. It was described by its members in warm,
appreciative terms. The stories and descriptions of events are inspiring, and the
League should be viewed as an asset for all of Edmonton.
Ritchie is described as having three main geographic areas. There is the Main part,
the Ravine part, and the part across 99th street.
There are three main parts of Ritchie, the Creek side
of the tracks, the main part and across 99th street,
Mostly activity is focused on the middle part
The Community League holds several major events throughout the year that are
enjoyed by Ritchie Members as well as many from all over Edmonton. The general
feeling is that the League is vibrant, welcoming and active.
When people came into the chili cook off and say its
amazing! you think to yourself Yeah, it IS amazing. I
really like that.
Ritchie is on the way to being a great neighbourhood,
its got some strong people pulling for it
Some environments are cliquey, but here the attitude
is The more the merrier!

What is a Community League supposed to do?

During the interviews participants described the role of the Community League in
various ways. These perspectives suggest that the Community generally
understands the role of the Community League but different members focused on
different things.
The Community League should be a hub, a place to
gather, build memories. Events are so people can
come out and enjoy themselves. For recreation,

personal health, an example of how we all should be.

Active, social, relaxed.
I think the community League should be more
politically engaged. The League should have a larger
role in dealing with the city. The League is the lowest
level of democracy.
Since joining the community League our social life
has increased a zillion fold
In terms of making a decision concerning the hall, the community needs to be clear
on its purpose and how the hall is a contributor to that purpose.
The Community League Resource Guide explains that the Community League has
three main roles;
1. as a political voice for the citizens of the community,
2. as a provider of recreational or skill building programs for the community,
3. as a provider of social activities for members to meet and have fun.
The League should have a clear balance of all three roles, and achieving this is an
objective for a building revitalization.

The Current Board

The commitment and energy of the current Board was commented on repeatedly in
the interviews. The fact that the Board is welcoming, open to suggestions, energetic
and resourceful is a great asset to the Community League. The fact that there are
members from various generations and a range of experiences in serving the
community is noted as a resource that will benefit the League.
We have made friends of different generations. If we
have to pop of over a business matter for the CL, we
stay for 45 minutes. Its like having parents or
grandparents in the neighbourhood.
The board is not afraid to take risks. When someone
says we should have a car show, there may be some
uncertainty, by it is a massive success.

A Volunteer Board
The Community League Board is made up of volunteers. The current Board is active
and functional, but there is no way to guarantee the membership will not change
over the amount of time it takes to repair or replace the building. The uncertainty of
this was expressed by some interview participants, and is a reality that should be
considered so that the project can be sustainable over time. It is recommended that
the current Board consider how they can train others in the community to help
alleviate the workload, or possibly take over if needed at some point. Looking to the

current pool of volunteers and training them for more involved positions would be a
good start.
If certain people walked away from this group is would
be hard to run the hall. It is a partnership, a friendship.
I am worried that if a new building goes ahead we will
wear out the current gang.
We should tap people in the community who will be
useful to us over time.

Building on Social Capital

An Image of Ritchie
The Ritchie Community League is developing a reputation within Ritchie and around
Edmonton. The League is aware of this and, even though it is not a specific
mandate, there is a tendency to prioritize uses of the hall that are eclectic, public,
unique, and with a high visibility.
We are aware of our perception in the community and
prioritize groups that have an interesting image.
Anecdotal reference was made in the interviews to the way Ritchie is perceived by
the other Community Leagues in the City of Edmonton, that the community is seen
as an example because it has so much activity happening.
I went to a citywide Community League meeting and
people in other communities are jealous of Ritchie
because we have so much going on here.
Community members perceive a difference in the way the Hall is being used and
that this reflects changes in the Board.
The board has undergone a rejuvenation. The hall
needs to reflect this rejuvenation.
Currently, the building has not been designed to project a specific public image, but
if it was, the architecture could be one of the main ways the League represents its
values to the public.
I want the perception of the Ritchie CL to be fun,
liberal respectful and close.
I see the Hall as the headquarters of the community.
Understanding what positive images you are portraying to your own members as
well as to the outside community is a way to understand the strengths in your

community. Interviewees described scenes that they have experienced in Ritchie

(Appendix D) that represent their concept of community. Within these images
painted of Ritchie, lie the common threads of diversity, intergenerational fun, music,
arts, community service and friendship.
Imagine kids in bathing suits, playing in the sandbox and the
spray park, covered in ketchup and really, so happy. We could
relax. It was so liberating. We also had a chance to talk to the
seniors in our community. We became friends. I shovel their
walks, they bring us jam.
From these images, a picture of what the Community League has created can
become clearer. These stories are assets for the Ritchie community to build on.
They can be used to help promote new projects, and they also provide ways of
understanding what community members enjoy from their League, and how a new
building can support these.

Volunteers
The involvement of the community and the willingness of its members to participate
and volunteer their time is a sign of a strong community. The current official
volunteers (approximately 20 members) for events are organized through a
volunteer coordinator. Additional volunteers include various community members
helping with the rink, Seniors groups offering cleaning Bees, those community
members who participate in League meetings and on committees and the Board
members themselves.
A community League depends on volunteers, and maintaining a strong commitment
for the community is critical, especially when larger projects are being undertaken.
Understanding what motivates volunteers and how to care for and sustain volunteer
commitment will be a big part of ensuring the success of the revitalization of the
Ritchie Hall. The more the Board can use the available human resources, and
engage others in the process the more stable the new project will be. The next
stages of the engagement process will be an opportunity to reach a large amount of
the population. Maintaining their commitment and ensuring their success as
volunteers will require the League Board to be clear about how to streamline and
effectively utilize new recruits.
I started as a participant because activities were happening
just outside my window
I find being a stay at home parent lonely and this seemed like
a really nice group of people
My oldest daughter participated on her own. She dragged
along a friend. The weather was bad, so she really felt like she
contributed, like she was doing real work to help her
community.

The seniors volunteer at Ritchie events, we bake hundred of

muffins, volunteered at the Fringe, weve done cleaning bees,
intergenerational gathering.
I volunteer to meet people. We dont have immediate family
here, its a good way to meet neighbours, people of different
ages and backgrounds.
I started doing it because I thought it was a great thing for the
community. After that it became a part of me.
I want to stay a volunteer because otherwise it would be a
job.
The halloween party had more male volunteers this year,
probably because the events have been so successful. They
had a great day, it had a different dynamic, different kids
games.

Creating Property Value

Community engagement can have a direct relationship to the prosperity and financial
success of a League. Ritchie has increased in popularity as a desirable place to live
in Edmonton over the past few years, which in turn has increased property values.
The Edmonton Journal published an article stating that Ritchie's property value has
increased 12.1% which is 5% higher than the City average. There has been no study
to indicate the direct relationship between community based activities and the
increase in property value, but the parallel relationship cannot be denied. Creating a
strong, positive public image of the Ritchie Hall can have value for the Ritchie
residents that can benefit the financial prosperity of the community.
Communicating this benefit to local businesses and residents would be a great way
for the Ritchie Community League to advocate for strong community based
programs that improve the Ritchie public image in the eyes of the rest of Edmonton.
This relationship between image and financial prosperity can be an angle used for
fundraising and gaining support from local businesses. This can offset the fact that
the Hall cant use the space as a rental for outside business and needs to look to
other ways to raise funds for building improvements.
EDMONTON - The value of the typical Edmonton house
value hit a record $401,000 last year after assessments
jumped 7.1 per cent, city officials said Monday... Ritchie:
12.1 - Edmonton Journal, Gordon Kent, Jan 6 2015
Our friends around town say they cant wait to buy a house in
Ritchie, its so friendly and welcoming.
For our annual fundraiser we dragged haybales into the main
hall and had scarecrows. We did it up really nice. The Mayor

walked in here and said Oh My Goodness! This is so CUTE!

and before the night was out he donated $30,000 for us.

Programing and Use of the Richie Hall

In terms of designing a new Hall it is a good idea to understand current programing
and possible future programs. When the uses of the hall are understood, as well as
the needs and gaps, this can help a Hall designer understand what uses to prioritize.
When looking at current programs the question needs to be asked, Are these
programs a result of the needs of the community or a result of the hall and its
available facilities/constraints? So, in addition to looking at current programs, the
community should be able to voice what activities they would like to see, but as yet
are unable to because of the lack of facilities.

What are various current active programs

For a detailed description of current programs see the table attached at Appendix A.
From the chart it can be discerned that the hall is used by 6 different types of users.
These include Ritchie Community League Clubs and programs, Partners, Tenants,
Ritchie Community League Special Events, Seasonal Rentals and One off Private
Rentals. (One-off rentals are not listed on the chart)

Current Program Preferences Bulls Eye Chart

During the interviews I asked people to indicate on post-it notes which activities they
have enjoyed in and around the hall, that best represent their idea of community.
This created the Bulls Eye Chart shown in Appendix B. By the end of four days the
chart was covered in notes. The most popular area being the Community League
Events, Seniors activities and young families.
In the Bulls Eye Chart the least filled areas were teens, although it is understood
that currently the rink is used by teens and there are plans for there to be a teen
group in September. This also may be because current demographics in Ritchie
suggest that there are few teens, although this will change in a few years when the
current large number of young families, grow up.
Theres nothing in the neighbourhood to address the needs of
teenagers.except skating...I wish this Hall was more of a
hub for older kids
Since there is duplication of activities in other areas, it is also interesting to see that
there are only a few events held in Arts and Culture, but they are repeated multiple
times. This could indicate a desire for more diversity in arts and culture related
activities. The same is true for sports, as most sports mentioned are associated with
the Rink, not the Hall.

10

Bike Polo guys are very keen, they will chop away at the ice at
the end of the year.
We need a space that can be used as a gym. With a proper
ceiling height, and have posts for volleyball nets.

How much do Programs Contribute to Ritchie?

The key question that has to be asked is how much does each group contribute to
Ritchie? The reason for this is so that when determining how to design the hall there
may be contradictions, or special needs for a specific group. If the League could
determine which groups and activities contribute the most to their community, they
could figure out how they can increase that type of use of the hall in the future. It will
then ask to design the Hall to best suit these kinds of activities.
Homeschool Program has 12-30 kids who drop in, we put on
plays, play Lego, dodge ball, pumpkin carving, crafts and we
use both rooms often
Obviously there is a subtlety in prioritizing various programs, the benefits are not
always quantifiable or comparable. How do you compare different programs that
have very different roles and serve different needs? The point is not to argue over
which is more valuable over another, but to take a level headed look at what is
happening and where the most energy and benefit is at this time. To then compare
this with the needs of the League at this specific time and to see if a new building
design can improve programing in certain areas.
SCONA: We help our seniors with social assistance, housing,
issues around poverty, obtaining food, scamming, security,
family, health and wellness, and keeping physically active.

Ritchie Programing Rubric

Factors that start to describe a group's level of contribution to Ritchie can be
categorized into four overarching areas: financial, human resources, public image,
and community service. I have created a spreadsheet entitled Ritchie Programing
Rubric to help organize the various current programs to help understand what each
are bringing to the community. The spreadsheet will be included as Appendix C. At
this point the spreadsheet values are empty, but over the next two Tiers the
community can help in completing it.
SCONA: We hold milestone birthdays - like 80, 90 100 and
memorial services.
The League could prioritize activities for a term that bring in more money when
needed, vs. activities that bring more human resources or build a stronger public
image. It is recommended that the League strategically use programing to help
reach its goals.

11

Every Friday we have bridge club. There are 80-110 people.

mostly seniors. We charge $3, give our prizes and have
cookies, tea and coffee.

The value of current programs

A good use of the Ritchie Programing Rubric would be to identify an area that the
League wants to increase - such as Public Image, then think about which groups
are doing a great job at building on public image and why.
For sake of example, we could say the Community League Antique Car show as an
example of an event that was great for Ritchie Public Image.
For the CL day there were 90 cars, 80 of them from all over
the city. People from outside really appreciated the day and
felt welcomed. They saw this as unique in Ritchie.
We can list reasons it was good for public image,
1. It brought people from all over the city
2. it was unique
3. It brought Ritchie members out
4. We partnered with a strong club in Edmonton who brought their own
members
5. It was outside so people can see it
6. It appealed to all ages.
On the other hand there were obstacles with this event
1. It required a lot of volunteer work and effort
2. It was very public and affected the street/neighbours
3. could only happen in summer
4. it cost money for free food, drinks and entertainment
If the Ritchie League would like to improve Public Image, it would seek out events
that would meet all first six goals, while limiting second the four obstacles as much
as possible.
This may help start to identify how to strategically utilize programing in the hall to
serve the current needs of the community. Also, this will help in designing the hall.
Which programs does the League want to support for long-term community benefits.

Missed Opportunities
What the rubric does not show is opportunities that are not occurring in the hall, or
why. Some examination of the Ritchie Hall User Groups shows that some
programs do not occur due to marketing, human resources or because the business
does not want to alter its structure, by becoming a program under the Leagues legal
requirements.
From the interviews, and the various charts I would conclude that Arts and Culture,
Indoor Sports and Older Children/Teens are areas that are not yet developed

12

programing in the Hall. These areas are also highly affected by spatial
considerations. Sports, and arts equipment can also serve to attract older children
and teens to the hall for skill development and recreation.
So far no groups have contacted us to perform here again for
the fringe. Probably because there is no backstage and no
curtains... The stage doesnt work for the fringe. There are
windows behind the stage. No where to hang lights, no
curtains, no tech area, baffling or back stage.

Ritchie Hall as a Rental Facility

Part of the Leagues responsibility is to manage their Hall and other facilities. This
can sometimes translate into the Board simply being a manager of a rental facility.
Even though the hall can be rented for private functions it is not to be rented to
businesses who will create a profit.
Currently the hall is rented to various outside groups, as well as private members
who can hold events such as weddings, birthdays, parties etc. The rental income is
minimal because of the age of the hall, but this could change after a renovation,
which has its own impacts on the community.
We have to be careful not to rent to businesses. This is not a
way for a business to get cheaper rent. It is for local groups
to help their residents.
A new hall means bigger prices, and more particularity about
who rents. If its a nicer hall we will become more protective
of it, which becomes prohibitive.
Ideally, rentals would serve both financial and community needs. Renters would be
willing to pay an appropriate fee as well as serve the needs of Ritchie. A new
building will increase rental options, but the League will have to keep tabs on its
priorities to ensure that rentals do not take away from valuable community services.
Most of our private rentals are from non members. This is
probably because of our online presence, competitive rates,
and that we rent by the hour
I dont like looking at this hall as a rental place. It seems kind
of soul-less.
We need to be looking for steady income, so we are not
reliant on one-off rentals.

Revitalization as a Means to Improve Current Programs

In order to decide if a future design would put resources into developing facilities for
specific types of programs it would be good to move forward in two ways.

13

Firstly the League needs to gather more information as to the needs for these
facilities in the area. Is there a need in this part of Edmonton for Arts spaces, are
there other ones near by? Do Ritchie members use these? Are there Ritchie
members looking for arts related space? Also, are there indoor sports spaces
nearby? Do these spaces serve the needs of Ritchie community members? Are
there Ritchie members looking for indoor sports spaces?
In Edmonton there are more theater companies than there
are spaces. A lot of artists live in this community, I can count
offhand 6 professional theater artists that I know living here.

Creating the Hall you want, BEFORE its built

Secondly, it is recommended that while design decisions and hall developments are
being made, the League put extra effort into creating the programs they want to see,
and creating the buzz around the hall that they would like the new hall (renovated
or new) to maintain. Even though it is difficult to do so without the facility already
complete, if even something small can be started before a new building, it will only
benefit later. To see the lack of a new building as the only obstacle to having these
types of activities is short sighted.
Id love to see more smaller spaces to rent, creative spaces
so we can have artist in residence programs.
If we look around the world, great art, sports and community are often built with very
little physical resources. The more we do before construction, the better. All too
often, vast amounts of money are spent on new buildings that are rarely used, or
dont maintain the spirit of the community. It will be much easier for a new building to
enhance the great programs already in existence rather than expect it to create
opportunities for entirely new programs and events.

Serving the League Members

As discussed earlier, when the hall is used and admired by the rest of Edmonton it
makes Ritchie a more desirable place to live, provides resources to the community
and creates a buzz around Ritchies events. Regardless, the League wants to
ensure that the Hall is serving the needs of its own members without compromising
them for those from outside Ritchie.
What is known in business marketing is that products designed specifically for one
audience do much better than those trying to meet the needs of everyone. What is
suggested for the League is to design programs that fit, as precisely as possible, the
needs of Ritchie, and this will translate into a service that meets the needs of many
more.
All our participants are Ritchie CL members, even though we
come from other communities. There are only a couple groups
like this in Edmonton. We have one family driving in from
Sherwood Park for our program.

14

I participate because I want my kids to have friends that are

not too far away, that they can walk and see. I think its
important to keep things local, so they know the people and
buildings in their neighbourhood.

Activating the Hall more often, creates a hub

The desire for the hall as a place to go, as somewhere to find out whats happening,
to connect with neighbours and to hang out was mentioned repeatedly. The desire
for the hall to be open and used continuously, and to be a regular gathering place for
the community was expressed.
Its a shame to me when this hall is sitting empty and dark because we have more potential than that.
I ask - what would it take for the hall to be activated 100% of
the time?
How a new hall or renovation can support a more regular inhabitation of the Hall
could have to be considered along with the design process. Community based
infrastructure required to realize this goal should be started before construction of a
new Hall. A new building without the community development does not guarantee it
will be used more.
I know people and I wanted to be apart of it. We dont have a
church that we go to. I wanted to have a sense of belonging.
This is a social hub. My kids walk here and hang out.
I want this to be a Hub, you could walk in anytime. You drop
in, and say whats going on at the hall today? If you want info
about the area, you go to the hall.
The CL is very much a public space, when we have to walk
somewhere we make a point of walking through the park

The Ritchie Hall

The Ritchie Hall was built in 1961 and renovated in 1996. There are two main halls,
one large and one smaller hall. The entire building is approximately 4,350 sqft.
The Hall is a single storey building, slab on grade floors and predominantly CMU
construction. The smaller hall has a new roof, built in 1996. There is a small kitchen,
bathrooms, a small office, a coat room, small storage room, and an outside
accessed skate shack - now used as hose storage for the rink.
In 2010 Stantec did a Building Condition Assessment on the Ritchie Hall. The report
outlines the building components and assemblies and outlines their current
condition. As per the report the building is in decent shape. Building Structures,

15

Interiors, Exterior, Mechanical Systems and Site Improvements required minimal

improvement over the next few years. The report was completed five years ago, but
there is no reason to believe that the structure or any components have undergone
any major changes other than typical wear and tear.
The Stantec report was made through a quantitative study of the building as a
structure, but it should be noted that it did not address the experiential,
programmatic or cultural requirements of the building. For example, the fact that the
mechanical system is in good working order does not address the fact that the office
is always cold or the large hall takes a very long time to heat up in winter. It also
does not address the fact that the kitchen may not be a useful size or the front lobby
is extremely congested during large gatherings.

Perceptions of the Ritchie Hall

Perceptions of the current hall vary. To some it is old, tired, poorly built, with
functional and design issues that make it inadequate for the needs of the community.
To others it is a decent structure, already servicing a large range of community
programs.
The hall as it is a crutch, we make do because it is what we
have.
Ritchie is pretty lucky. To have 2 large rooms, with a stage. Its
been very active in recent years and its going to get more
active. The twin hall is very useful, one activity doesnt bother
the other. Quite fortunate compared to other Leagues.
These perceptions have influence on what programs are booked for the hall. An
important aspect of this is recognizing that certain types of activities are booked
because the hall is older, the League charges lower rent (offers the hall by the hour)
and the League has a relaxed and welcoming attitude to groups. If a new shiny hall
is built there will be a stronger impulse to protect it, to prioritize which groups use it,
to charge more money, and even to include security measures such as barred
windows, or vandalism proof exterior. This type of vibe around the hall would go
against what is currently working in building a strong sense of community in Ritchie.

History
There is a long and rich history of the Ritchie Hall and Community. Several
interviewees expressed their interest in learning more about the local history and
finding ways to present the stories and material they discover. Using the Hall as a
place to store historical documents and artifacts as well as display information and
related discoveries was discussed.
At times in history, the Ritchie League was fairly politically charged. The strikes to
remove the Gainer's industrial facility were held in the hall in the 1970's. Previous to
that groups used the hall to gather and organize themselves to advocate for Ritchie
to the City of Edmonton. Recently the Hall has been used as a meeting place for

16

community groups gathering to save local inner city schools from being closed down.
This desire to maintain the Hall as a gathering place for civic and political
engagement was expressed during the interviews.
I got involved to give back because the CL helped get word
out about Picard when the school was closing down. It started
for me as a meeting place for people together and fight the
power. There is a history of that, the ARP, the Gainers strikes,
this was the place to go at that time.
The diversity of ages as an asset to the League, was mentioned by almost every
interviewee. The strengths brought to the community through the presence and
participation of Ritchie's seniors is seen as an asset.
There was a 50th wedding anniversary here, where a couple
came back to the hall because it was where they were
married. We gave them a gift certificate and it felt really
special
Back in the day people financed the renovation. Some people
took out bonds, mortgaged their homes for it.
Community leagues in Alberta come from rural Alberta where
farmers would pitch in to help each other. They would build
barns, take off each others crops, help out in emergency.
When these people came into the city they brought their rural
ethic, which tied into the citys plan to create a neighbourhood
network.

Renovations
Particular information about when renovations were done, how certain building
components were replaced, and what maintenance was made is currently mostly
known by a few individuals who have been involved with the hall for many years.
Architectural drawings and updates to the hall have not been recorded in a
systematic way. If a renovation is to be done, a thorough building description and
download of information from those who have been involved in maintenance would
be required. They should be engaged throughout the process as much as possible.
They wanted to do mudjacking under the main hall because
it is warped, but I stopped them because it has underfloor
heating.
The roof is 4x6 double tongue and groove, we had troubles
with this new roof. It leaked and we had to bring a new roof
right away. This current one has warranty for 12/15 years. It
was built in 1996

17

The playground was built 2-3 times. The city took the old
ones out, so we put in a new one. The city took that one out
again, so now we dont do anything with the playground.
Below I have recorded various comments on the different amenities provided by the
hall, and summarized the information provided through the interviews and my tour of
the building. How the building is currently used by various groups can give some
idea to the Board how they hope to continue to use the space and provide for
specific uses.

Wheelchair Access
It is noted that either a new hall or a renovation would need to be wheelchair
accessible. As it stands there is a sidewalk with no ramp to the parking lot.
Anecdotal comments suggest the hall is "not bad" in terms of accessibility but there
are a few things to improve. A further evaluation of the building needs to be made in
terms of accessibility.

Kitchen
Thoughts on the design and use of the kitchen were probably the most diverse. The
kitchen is used heavily for a couple of large events during the year, particularly the
Community League Day and the SCONA seniors fundraisers. Otherwise the kitchen
is used mostly as a bar, a coffee and tea counter, or a place to serve and heat up
soup and sandwiches for lunches. There are catered events held at the hall, but they
do not use the kitchen to prep food, but just to store and serve it.
The kitchen in small considering the size of the hall, although many functioning
commercial kitchens have low square footage but are carefully designed to be a high
level production space. The Ritchie Kitchen has commercial equipment such as a
commercial oven and grill, as well as a large cooler and commercial dish sanitizer.
The bar opening to the main hall has no proper sink. There is a rolling metal
commercial kitchen island. The location of the kitchen in the building, is often a
problem as there is no service entrance, and it does not have direct access to
outdoors.
The design of a future kitchen will depend on what programs the League wants to
prioritize. The kitchen can be a major factor in certain groups using the hall. Some
points to consider include:

The halls regular day-to-day uses rarely use the entire kitchen other than
coffee and stovetop.
Major successful events that the Community League has organized have
used the kitchen heavily
Other halls are not putting in commercial kitchen equipment, which could put
Ritchie in the position of providing a unique amenity in the city and provide an
opportunity for financially successful programing.
The SCONA seniors and the Community League, of all current programs, use
the kitchen the most extensively.

18

The current kitchen is too small for cooking classes or larger events
The dry bar is inadequate for many events, and isnt used for serving drinks if
the kitchen is concurrently being used to cook a meal
Access and location is problematic if the kitchen is being used for an event
Dishes are rarely used, other than mugs.
its a pretty good hall but in terms of kitchen
equipment it falls short, it needs a bar, thats really
important.
The kitchen is OK for most events, 4-5 ladies working
at the island, seems OK. Most events use coffee urn,
food prep, and for food storage.
For the fundraisers we cook the whole meal from
scratch here, but regularly we just use the stove top
for soup and sandwiches. (SCONA seniors)
People cooking cant get access to the kitchen during
an event. If there is a skate party, the kitchen for hot
chocolate is too far from the rink.

Questions to consider
What programs would various kitchen amenities attract? And
how would these benefit Ritchie?
I.e. a large commercial kitchen,
large prep/training kitchen or
residential style kitchen,
a separate bar,
kitchen that has a separate food prep area from a bar,
kitchen with an outdoor window,
kitchen with a canteen area...
If equipment is removed, how would that impact current
programs? I.e. removing the grill for pancake breakfast

Bathrooms
The bathrooms were discussed in terms of their location, and function. The
bathroom entrance is visible from the front entry, which is unattractive and gives a
poor first impression. The hallway to the bathrooms is also accessed through the
front foyer, which creates a congestion problem during large events. The front Foyer
is also where tickets are sold and the only circulation between the two halls.
"We need another higher toilet in the bathrooms. It
makes a huge difference for seniors."
"Its odd that you can see the toilet from the front door."

19


Large Hall
The size of the large hall had various comments. It is generally appreciated and
acknowledged that it is a generous size, possibly one of the larger halls in the city.
Despite this, it has been found to be too small for larger events on occasion. The hall
capacity is due to the fire alarms rather than the size of the space, which could mean
that if the alarm was included, the space capacity would increase. On the other hand
it was noted that the large hall is inappropriately too large for many events such as a
birthday party, or a meeting. The hall is also not large enough to be used as an
indoor gym for sports, and even though it has a stage, it is not equipped for theatre
events such as the fringe.
The current large hall has no windows and no designed relationship with the park or
the residential community across the street. The hall is accessed through a double
door to the foyer and a fire exit to the park. There is a lowered "walkway" defined by
heavy timber columns, and the ceiling is heavily moderated with sound baffling
panels. There is a multi level stage at one end and a window and door to access the
kitchen at the other end. The concrete floor is warped.
"When I rented it for my birthday party the big room was too
big, the bar was at one end and the band was far away, the
hall needs a more cozy and comfortable space for smaller
events."
"In winter the hall takes hours to heat up."
"We have no complaints, except in the winter it can get really
cold, so we tell our players to wear a sweater."
"I imagine big windows towards the park. Dividers for the
space, new floor - this one is sagging."
"Our two large spaces have a low key, non-intimidating feel"

Small Hall
The Small Hall was a part of the renovation in 1996. It is smaller than the main hall
but can facilitate numerous activities. The renovation took out an official skate shack
and replaced it with a hall, office and coat storage area. The roof and floor for the
small hall are newer than the rest of the building.
The fact that there are two halls with a noise separation was mentioned as an asset
numerous times by users of the hall. Some groups like that they can have one part
of their group doing something active in the gym while other do a quiet activity in the
small hall. Others appreciate that they can still use the hall even if the hall is already
being used by another group.

20

The small hall has one wall that is where chairs and tables are stacked. This is the
storage for the small tables, which are often used by the Bridge club, which means
they have to transport the chairs and tables each week. It was often mentioned that
this storage area is unattractive and not very functional. The small hall has access to
the kitchen and a fire exit, which opens towards the rink.
The parquet floor in the small hall was recently refinished. This will be its last
refinishing. This type of floor is not appropriate for the current building layout as the
access from the rink to the kitchen is through the small hall and wet boots or any dirt
or gravel at all will damage the floor.
"Having two halls is important to us. Some kids will want to
draw or do crafts and another group can go play dodge ball."
"We like that there are two spaces so we can use the smaller
room if the other one is booked. But it would be nice to have a
proper closet for the tables and chairs"
"We have no storage."
"The storage in the small hall is ugly."
"We come to Bingo and the old ladies have to lift up the tables
to put them away."

Foyer, Coat Room and Office

The smaller amenity spaces were discussed in terms of their layout. The office is
hidden in a corner, and though it is functioning as a space for files, a work desk,
space for a printer and laptop, it is colder than the rest of the hall, has no windows,
and is hidden from view of the front door. It often gets used as extra storage space.
The coat room is well used, especially in winter. When there is a large event - such
as 100 people for Bridge, the entire coat room space is used.
The foyer space serves many functions. There is a small vestibule for the front door
access. This has a wheelchair access button that is often not turned on. The
vestibule is at an angle and can cause congestion. The foyer is used for ticket sales
during larger events, it is also the only circulation space to access the Bathrooms
and both halls. The foyer has waiting room style chairs, which are used when people
are waiting outside an event - such as parents waiting for kids in Karate.
The overall layout of the Hall is problematic during larger functions, but serviceable
for most day-to-day events. Major layout issues would include Kitchen circulation
spaces and access. The location of the office and the creation of a useful and
engaging entry area would be addresses in a future design proposal.
At larger events there are fire code issues, there is major
congestion in the front foyer, people buying tickets, beer

21

tickets, walking through with food, going to the bathroom,

bringing in pots of chili and beer kegs.
Some events are so popular that some CL members are
turned away because there is not enough room.

Park
The Ritchie Hall is located on City parkland, and the playground, green area and
splash park are city owned and maintained. Regardless, there is a strong relevance
between the Park and the Leagues activities. Many events utilize the park area both
in summer and the rink in winter. The full-grown trees provide shade in the summer
and the splash park is well used. Many league events have been held outside,
including the Antique Car Show, movie nights, and Summer Barbeques.
Currently the Ritchie Hall does not address the natural surroundings. There are no
windows on the main hall and only emergency access to the park. When there is an
event requiring food, the fire door is opened to the Main Hall and food is carried from
the kitchen. Even though the kitchen is located on the back wall of the building there
is no direct access or window to the outside of the building.
The playground is really nice and well used in summer
because it is shaded.
We would like to see the park incorporated into the building,
an overhang and outdoor space. Ritchie has very earthy
people, maybe there are ways to incorporate a community
garden onto, or on top of the building. People care about
nature here, they have amazing gardens in the summer.

Rink
The current rink is well used both in summer and winter. In summer it is used as a
skate park, for Bike Polo and recreational sports. In winter it is used as a community
Hockey rink, and recreational ice-skating. The tennis courts and adjacent area is
usually flooded in the winter to provide additional ice for recreational purposes.
There is currently a volunteer who maintains the ice, but he admits it is a big job.
There are younger people helping at this point. The keenest users of the ice help
maintain it as well.
The rink is only five years old. We installed it through the
Kaboom program.
Maintaining rink takes about 300 hours a year, plus about
another 100 hours in summer

22

The City of Edmonton

Learning from Neighbors
In the City of Edmonton there are many Leagues undergoing the process of deciding
how to improve their halls and facilities. Hazeldean, which is adjacent to Ritchie
recently did a large renovation. There are a few other halls that have undergone
renovations recently including McKernan and Gold Bar. At this point Ritchie will be
one of the first Leagues to make use of the 50/50 grant from the City to upgrade their
hall. For this reason, Ritchie is in a prime position to offer learning, experience and a
positive example for the rest of the City.
There are a lot of leagues interested in rebuilding or fixing up
their halls.
The Strathcona Community hall is a good example of one that
was built well.

What other halls have done

Taking a good look at the renovations and work other halls have done would be
beneficial for Ritchie for multiple reasons.
Firstly Ritchie can learn from those halls that have decided to undergo renovations
and learn from their success and mistakes. Ritchie can also put themselves in a
strategic position in the City by comparing what amenities are available for user
groups, and what needs are not being met. Looking at how halls are being used
nearby will give clues as to how the Ritchie Hall can fill a void in programming and
offer something unavailable elsewhere to their league members.
Currently, information gathered is anecdotal from interview participants. It is
recommended a tour be done of local halls, photos taken and a simple analysis done
by members of the Ritchie League.
Its really hard to find a hall that can hold 120 people
There are a lot of halls around with seniors but its seems like
they dont have much interest in supporting seniors. So people
come from all over.
Typical Community League halls are one big hall that is pretty
large, not good for smaller functions and can only book one
thing at a time.
One community paid a million dollars to rebuild their hall and
got one half the size of this. And they were so worried about
vandalism its like a bunker, no windows.
Mckernan ran badly into debt and the city had to bail them
out. They were way over budget.

23

Support provided by City of Edmonton

The City of Edmonton is aware that the League halls are going to need to be
upgraded in the near future and they realize they have a vested interest in
supporting the Leagues. Halls that go financially Bankrupt, or cannot be maintained
are reclaimed by the city. For this reason the Ritchie League should make sure that
they are fully engaging and utilizing the resources available from the City of
Edmonton. The League can use the argument that the success of this project has
benefit for the entire City.
The City will provide support people, project coordinator and
planner can come and meet with the Community League to
provide required support - City Liaison
Because of previous experiences the City will be taking more
of a vested interest in the renovation and new construction of
Halls. If something goes wrong, these buildings go back to the
City.
A Community League is eligible for a per capita-based annual
operating grant from the City of Edmonton, and can access
matching fund grants for construction and renovation of
community facilities. Community League Resource Guide
Recognizing that the Ritchie Hall renovation or replacement could be an example
and of benefit to the City at large it would make sense for Ritchie to plan and make
clear its needs to the City and EFCL (Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues).
The City has stated in the Tripartite agreement that the services offered by
community Leagues are of benefit to the City. If support or training in fixing up or
replacing the Hall is required, the City would be in its best interest to help out.
Making clear, reasonable and specific requests for support would be beneficial to
both parties as it would let the City know where it can improve its programs and it
also means Ritchie will get as much support as possible.
the Community Leagues of Edmonton are recognized as
providing valuable recreational sports, social, community and
cultural facilities, programs and voluntary leadership in
recreation and culture within the various neighborhoods of the
City and thus saving the City significant expenditures for the
provision of these essential facilities and services Community
League Resource Guide

Moving Forward
Leveraging an advantageous position
At this point it must be said that the Ritchie League is in an advantageous position in
moving forward. In looking for an architect, and contractor the Ritchie League should

24

expect that the very best and skilled professionals would be extremely keen to take
on this project. Assets that the League should leverage include the fact that the
League has invested in a rigorous pre-design engagement project, this Hall could
lead to more work in other Leagues wanting to revitalize their halls, and the Ritchie
community is organized, motivated and enthused. This would be a prized project for
any architect or contractor to work on, and any prospective professionals should
treat it as such. It is recommended that the League shop around, create a dynamic,
skilled and productive team who will provide Ritchie will the Hall it deserves.
It is recommended that the Ritchie Revitalization Committee start seeking out good
contractors immediately, to begin the discussion and find out requirements for
getting accurate quotes. It is also recommended that the League consider hiring a
Project Manager to coordinate the project from design to completion once this
engagement process is complete. At this point the team should also put together an
official Request for Proposal and run a rigorous competition for those professionals
wanting to try out for the job. The interested professionals should be invited to
present to the community, show strong previous experience and be willing to build
on the work already invested in by Ritchie.

Costing a Renovation

In this document I have started a preliminary Architectural Program (APPENDIX M)
for a Renovation and for a New Build. It is meant to be a starting point for the
Revitalization Committee to use in determining accurate costing.
Costing a Renovation is more difficult than a new build. It is more challenging to
estimate the cost in demolition of existing structures without affecting the various
mechanical, electrical, and building envelope conditions. Since the Ritchie Hall has
undergone a previous major renovation, it is hard to know exactly where ducting,
wiring and various changes have been made until demolition and construction is
underway. For this reason it is felt that any estimate should be given a significant
buffer to accommodate unforeseen issues.
For a renovation there are many aspects, which could use improvement. By nature
of a renovation, some of these could be phased so that all the work would not need
to be completed at once.
At this time, it is my opinion that the entire front Foyer, office and entryway would
need to be significantly renovated. This area would need to accommodate a proper
fire exit, coat storage, a reception desk and office that reflect the leagues values.
The renovation would also need to add extra storage, a full kitchen renovation
adding a service access and window to the park. The large hall back wall could need
a large window/door assembly to open to the park as well as a renovated stage
appropriate for theater, as well as additions to the hall to accommodate sporting
equipment. The small hall would require a better storage solution, removable
lounge furniture, Audio Visual Equipment, as well as kitchen/bar access to enable it
to double as a Board/conference room, or a lounge for smaller parties.

25

Exterior would need a skate shack adjacent to the rink, outdoor patio on the park
side, walkway renovation to accommodate wheelchair access, Garbage storage
facilities and outdoor equipment storage.
This is a Wish List for a renovation and once clear estimates on costing are done,
and this engagement complete, it will be easier to determine which needs are most
important. At this point the Front Hall/Foyer are a priority, as well as a kitchen
redesign.

Costing a New Build

A new Build is easier to cost and it is felt that after the SAIT student projects are
complete there will be a pretty clear idea of what the League may want to consider
for their building. Again, this will be difficult to prioritize, as there will be a long wish
list that will have to be paired down. Nonetheless with a new build the overall design
can accommodate a new architectural strategy, where one component may be able
to solve more than one programmatic requirement.
A new building will include a significant amount of space dedicated to a Large,
flexible use Hall that can be divided or arranged to accommodate events of various
sizes, and ideally allow for multiple events at the same time. The New building would
at best, to accommodate a front entry, an office and lobby area, coat storage
solution, washrooms, efficient mechanical system, access to the rink and park, an
efficient kitchen, sporting appropriate ceilings as well as opportunities for theater
space and other arts related uses. A meeting room and/or lounge area would be
beneficial.

A Third Option
Even though it is not a part of the original objective I want to present a possible third
option that might deserve review. This may have already been discussed by the
League and a decision already been made, if so, it may not need to be brought up
again. This option would only be considered after costing is complete and the true
price for a new building is known.
If a renovation or new build is more expensive than the current budget, it may be
worth a consultation brainstorming other ways to invest the casino money that would
greatly benefit the League. At this point it is obvious that the League has a great
amount of social capital built, something that most businesses strive for. The new
question would need to be asked: how to invest the money into the community so
that it builds on social capital and guarantees the return of increased funds for a
better facility in a reasonable amount of time. Either way, efforts put into Community
engagement at this point will benefit any option.

26

Summary

The question the Ritchie League is currently asking is how to spend the
money it has raised from the fundraising, and from a City of Edmonton matching grant, on improving their hall.

The League would like to know if they should build an entirely new building or
renovate the existing building. To answer this question the League needs to
know how much they can afford, as well as what they need to build to meet
the needs of their community.

The Ritchie community League is seen as warm, welcoming and vibrant.

There are 3 purposes for a Community League, political, social and

recreational

The current Board has good energy, but is made up of volunteers and needs
to protect itself from over work

The image Ritchie is projecting is eclectic, unique, quirky, and community

oriented. This image can be leveraged as an asset, for fundraising, and for
building more human resources

Currently the League has a pool of volunteers who are an asset and can be
seen as social capital, as well as a diversity in ages who are engaged

The League has been provided with a Ritchie Programing Rubric as a tool
for
a. figuring out which programs bring the most to the community
b. which programs or events can best be used to meet the Leagues
priorities
c. How to determine new programs that will build on current skills

The League is provided with the results of a Bulls Eye Chart which
indicates that strong activities include the Large League events, the Seniors
and some activities for younger families. In addition, Arts and Culture, Teens
and Indoor Sports are areas that could be developed, both through a new
facility as well as current efforts.

The more active the hall is the more it is seen as a Hub, and the more people
will come to it to meet their needs

Stantecs report found the hall structurally and functionally adequate, but did
not analyze the community needs or values

27

Ritchie has a unique role in the City and it should use this to its advantage.
Ritchie should look to other halls to learn from their experiences.

An Architectural Program is provided to assist in costing processes

Recommendations
Recommendations are given based on the needs of the League. It is understood that
all of these recommendations cannot be acted upon immediately and they should be
prioritized based on current resources and immediate goals. Some of these goals
require further consultation by the Board and others will be addressed in the next
parts of the engagement process. It is also hoped that further volunteers or
committees might be appointed to meet some of these suggestions.

The League Continuing the Process

The Board should consider how to balance the three main parts of their role
outlined by the EFCL.

The League can use this public image, and the increase in property values as
a tool for fundraising

The League can continue to identify whether to focus on financial needs,

human resources, community service or public image at this time in the
process.

The League should identify and seek out rentals that are both paying market
value rates as well as advantageous to the community

It is recommended that the League create a fundraising and long-term

business planning committee, which can develop appropriate, creative and
sustainable methods of funding the League, as well as look to the EFCL
Community League Resource Guide for fundraising ideas on engaging local
businesses and lobbying for funds.

This report did not cover the relationship with local business and it is
recommended that the benefits of this relationship is researched by the
League and supported through programing and a strategy of mutual benefit

Tier 2 Engaging the Community

The current Board and volunteers should all be engaged in training and
recruiting others to support the needs of the League, make the workload
lighter and more fun

28

The League has been given some Scenes of Ritchie as a resource to use in
promoting itself and defining what makes it already a great community, and
what to continue to support

The League should do research into finding out what motivates volunteers,
use this to recruit more volunteers and sustain the current ones

The League should gather information about facilities in the area and whether
they are meeting the facility needs of Ritchie members - specifically for Arts
space as well as indoor sports.

When deciding on which programs are best, the League should look at its
own members to see what is needed first, rather than outside

It is recommended that the League also look to the EFCL Community League
Resource Guide for ideas on supporting volunteers gained through this
engagement process, and consider long-term planning for volunteer
maintenance.

Tier 3 - Utilizing the Human Resources

The League should continue to use the image it projects as a resource and
work to define it more clearly

The League should strategically use programing of the hall as a way to meet
its goals.

The League should look at ways to activate the hall as often as possible

The Ritchie Hall Revitalization Committee

The League needs to ensure it is accessing all available resources from the
City, and not be afraid to be clear about asking what else it might need

If the hall undergoes a renovation the League needs to make sure those who
were involved in previous hall construction are consulted directly by the
contractor and those onsite

An accessibility analysis should be done on the current building if a

renovation is chosen

In order to understand the financial requirements of the project the League

should start to develop an Architectural Program that it can use for
Budgeting and gathering quotes from reliable and experienced contractors.
(The beginning of this program has been started in Appendix E)

It is recommended that for the construction process, the League look into
hiring a Project Manager.

29

Board and League members should tour other Edmonton League Halls that
have been renovated or replaced recently

Conclusion
This report outlines the information gathered from a series of interviews, and outlines
a set of recommendations for the League, this engagement process and the
Revitalization Committee.
At this point a wish list for a new hall or renovation has been made and a strong
idea of how the hall is used established. This wish list makes up the Architectural
Program which has be started through this process, and which will be the foundation
of costing comparisons for the League.
It is understood that this program will change throughout the engagement process
and will be a flexible document for the Board to adjust as it prioritizes its needs over
time. It will also be affected by the participation of the SAIT student work, which may
contribute ideas and building arrangements not yet considered.

Tier 2 - Outline of Purpose

From our findings in Tier 1, The purposes for the second part of this process which
involves engaging with the rest of the Ritchie community through a series of training
workshops and door-to-door outreach is more defined.
The outreach will be used to
1. Find out which programs would best suit Ritchie Community League.
2. Find out what Ritchie members are currently doing to meet their social,
recreational and political needs, and how the Hall can help
3. Help the Board define a Public Image that is most inspiring to the members
4. Help the Board engage more volunteers and utilize the ones that are currently
active
5. Engage the community in considering fundraising/business support and
financial assistance to the project
6. Gather information about facilities in the area and whether they are meeting
the facility needs of Ritchie members - specifically for Arts space as well as
indoor sports.
Possible Questions for the Outreach:
1.
2.
3.
4.

What recreational, social or political activities have you been involved in?
What facilities did you use for these - building/equipment?
Do you currently attend any programs at the Hall?
What do you see are the Ritchie Communitys best assets?

30

5. Do you volunteer?
6. Would you volunteer for X?
7. Would your place of work be interested in a partnership/sponsorship with the
League?

LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A - Ritchie Hall User Groups
APPENDIX B - Ritchie Programing Rubric
APPENDIX C - Ritchie Programing Bulls Eye Chart
APPENDIX D - Scenes of Ritchie
APPENDIX E - Community League Resource Guide
APPENDIX F - Final Tripartite License Agreement
APPENDIX G - Full Parkland Change Process Agreement
APPENDIX H - Site Plan and current uses
APPENDIX I - License Areas Ritchie Community League
APPENDIX J - Ritchie ARP
APPENDIX K Stantec Community League Building
Assessment
APPENDIX L Zoning Bylaw
APPENDIX M Ritchie Hall Proposed Architectural Program

31

APPENDIX C Ritchie Bulls Eye Chart

32

Arts and Culture

Octoberfest
Live Music (2)
Fringe (4)
Music
Teens
SYNC Camp
Sports and Rec
Splash Park
Spray Park
Summer Tennis
Barbeques
Skating - recreational
(2)
Bike Polo
Yoga (2)

Seniors
SCONA Fundraising
Seniors Exercise Class
BINGO
Bridge
SCONA Seniors
Fitness for Seniors
Outside rental
Summer Barbeque
Sailin-on Popup
Beer Geeks
Birthday Party Rental
Kids
Preschool
SYNC Camp
Homeschool Group
Green Shack
Halloween Party

Clubs/worship
Karate
Bike Polo
Soccer
Karate
Bridge
Bingo
Reptile Club
Community League
Barbeques
Car Show
Seniors CL Day
Board Visioning
MC Clean up
Fun Family Events
Community League
Day (2)
Mill Creek Clean up (2)
Octoberfest
Chili Cook-off
Giving Money to
community Groups
Soccer Registration

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APPENDIX D SCENES OF RITCHIE

These are Scenes of Ritchie: Please use them for promotional outreach and for
defining what makes Ritchie great!

There were these boys just hanging around at our reskill Community League Day, and I remember
sending them home with four pies. I thought What is
their mother going to think? How on earth did they
came up with four homemade pies!
At the Mill creek Clean up, we came to the top of the
stairs and there was a sign up sheet. They gave us
gear and food and we could see how many people
had already come. Down in the woods I met other
people I knew from the community. The kids were
playing in the bush cleaning. It brought us together
with people that we live near but dont often get to
see.
At our SCONA seniors intergenerational day there
were 61 kids here. We spent all day together, with a
petting zoo, crafts, and activities. In the afternoon the
kids played in the splash park and the seniors sat
around just laughing and giggling at the children
playing in the water.
The day we put the rink in was a great day. We had
75-80 volunteers show up. We had volunteers from
the Home Depot. It was a great thing to see all the
people working together, school kids painted the
hockey sign. We didnt have an issue getting
volunteers.
I went to yoga and met people who lived nearby. I
was doing dishes and I heard hooting and hollering.
Six ladies were outside my window dancing trying to
get me to come out to yoga with them.
The night before the fringe we had the kick-off. We
had food trucks and a DJ, and our MLA...It was the
first public event where people were interacting,
meeting neighbours, The Board got out there and met
the crowd, there was lots of excitement and energy. It
was a really positive moment.

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This big semi truck pulled up and started unloading

speakers and a big inflatable movie screen. We were
putting the kids to bed and they fell asleep to the
sounds of Michael J Fox in Back to the Future. It was
a really cold night, people were huddled in sleeping
bags, having a great time. I was concerned some
people might complain about the noise, but no one
did. That would never happen in many other
neighbourhoods.
We had this idea to have a Classic Car show. We all
pulled together. The day was phenomenal. 300 plus
people came. At the end the organizers sat in the
parking lot, having a beer, talking about what an
amazing day it had been. The new board had just
been elected and it was the big event that really
brought us together.
When I was a teenager we had teen dances here in
the hall. That was the best. Girls on one side, boys on
the other side, when the music started you had to run
to your favorite dancer. Most people came from the
school in Ritchie.

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APPENDIX H RITCHIE LEAGUE HALL SITE PLAN

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