BVRH Bulletin – August 2024  

BVRH Bulletin – June 2024

BVRH Bulletin – April 2024 – Reg format

BVRH Bulletin – March 2024 – Reg format NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Lodge Open Houses We held an Open House at Cascade House in Banff

Feb 2024 – BVRH Bulletin – Large format NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Designated Supportive Living (DSL) Operations We are celebrating our 1st anniversary of DSL

Monthly Bulletin January 2024 – NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Open Houses at our Seniors Lodges! Despite the freezing cold, we held a successful Open House

NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Open Houses at our Seniors Lodges! We held a successful Open House in Banff on November 4. We estimate that around

BVRH Bulletin – November 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Open Houses at our Seniors Lodges! We held a successful Open House in Banff on November

Monthly Bulletin October 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Open Houses at our Seniors Lodges! Join us for exclusive tours of Cascade House in Banff and

Monthly Bulletin September 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Designated Supportive Living (DSL) Operations The new program delivers public DSL care to the region and helps

Monthly Bulletin August 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Designated Supportive Living (DSL) Operations We remain proud and excited to welcome DSL residents into the new

Monthly Bulletin June 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Spring Garden Party Our Spring Garden Party returned to Bow River Lodge to celebrate seniors on June

Monthly Bulletin May 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Spring Garden Party Our Spring Garden Party returns to Bow River Lodge to celebrate seniors on June

Monthly Bulletin April 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Spring Garden Party Our Spring Garden Party returns to Bow River Lodge to celebrate seniors on June

Monthly Bulletin March 2023 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Designated Supportive Living (DSL) Operations We were proud and excited to welcome our first DSL residents into

Special Lodge Bulletin June 27, 2022 This bulletin provides a major update about Covid-19 health restrictions in our lodges. Covid-10 related public health measures: Alberta

Monthly Bulletin June 2022 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS Strategic Planning and Bylaw Review The Board, along with senior management, participated in a two-day workshop this

Special Lodge Bulletin May 9, 2022 Please be aware that the lodge is no longer in outbreak status with AHS. However, one of our residents

Monthly Bulletin April 2022 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS COVID-19 The province continues to transition to an endemic approach to Covid19. We still have a role

Special Lodge Bulletin April 12, 2022 Please be aware that the lodge is officially under outbreak status with AHS. At this point, two residents have

Special Lodge Bulletin April 11, 2022 Unfortunately, one or more of our lodge residents have Covid-19. Three residents currently have symptoms and have been tested

Monthly Bulletin March 2022 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 The province is transitioning to an endemic approach to Covid-19. We still have a role in

Monthly Bulletin February 2022 NEWS, INITIATIVES, AND EVENTS COVID-19 The province continues to deal with risks faced by our healthcare system and the most vulnerable

Monthly Bulletin January 2022 Happy New Year! NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 The province continues to deal with the risks faced by our healthcare system

Monthly Bulletin December 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 – IMPORTANT UPDATE The province remains under a State of Emergency as it continues to manage

Special Lodge Bulletin January 7, 2022 The Covid-19 situation is changing rapidly and since the virus still presents risks to fully vaccinated seniors, it is

Special Lodge Bulletin January 6, 2022 HAPPY NEW YEAR! The circulating variant Omicron is highly contagious, even for those who are vaccinated and boosted. This

Special Lodge Bulletin December 24, 2021 MERRY CHRISTMAS! New public health orders are in effect: the new variant, called Omicron, has proven to be highly

Monthly Bulletin November 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 – IMPORTANT UPDATE The province remains under a State of Emergency to better manage the risk

Monthly Bulletin October 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 – IMPORTANT UPDATE The province remains under a State of Emergency to better manage the risk

Monthly Bulletin September 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 The province has declared a new State of Emergency to better manage the risk faced by

Special Lodge Bulletin September 10, 2021 Booster vaccine shots are coming to lodges next week. Please read this bulletin, discuss it with those closest to

Monthly Bulletin August 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 – IMPORTANT UPDATE Alberta’s vaccine rollout has surpassed 5.5 million doses, but again we must keep

Monthly Bulletin July 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 Alberta’s vaccine rollout has surpassed 5,000,000 doses, and we still have a role in keeping ourselves

Monthly Bulletin June 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS Rent Supplement Program The Government of Alberta has redesigned the program since they paused it in October

Special Lodge Bulletin June 28, 2021 This bulletin is meant to provide tips on how to stay as cool as possible during the heat wave

2021 BVRH Requisition Each year we requisition funds from the ratepayers of the region through our member municipalities. The funds enable us to provide licensed

Special Lodge Bulletin May 17, 2021 This bulletin is meant to clarify the new rules around Public Health Order 16-2021, specifically with regard to the

Monthly Bulletin April 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS 2021 Municipal Requisition The conjunction of major unforeseen expenditures has required a larger-than-normal requisition, with some implications

Monthly Bulletin March 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 As the vaccine rollout progresses, we all continue to have a critical role in keeping ourselves

Monthly Bulletin February 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 As we move further into the vaccine rollout, we all continue to have a critical role

Special Lodge Bulletin February 24, 2021 What a difference six weeks makes! Now that the vast majority of our lodge residents are on the verge

Special Lodge Bulletin: Happy New Year! January 7, 2021 Welcome to 2021, vaccines are coming next week! Please read this bulletin, discuss it with those

Monthly Bulletin January 2021 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS COVID-19 As we move further into the new year, we all continue to have a critical role

Monthly Bulletin December 2020 NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS • COVID-19 As we move further into fall, we all have a critical role in staying healthy

Special Lodge Bulletin: Covid-19 December 11, 2020 Please read this bulletin, discuss it with those closest to you and feel free to ask questions. Thank

Special Lodge Bulletin: Covid-19 November 27, 2020 Please read this bulletin, discuss it with those closest to you and feel free to ask questions. Thank

Special Lodge Bulletin: Covid-19 November 24, 2020 Please read this bulletin, discuss it with those closest to you and feel free to ask questions. Thank

As we move further into fall, we all have a role in staying healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please read through this entire bulletin and discuss it with those closest to you.

Cases of Covid-19 are climbing steadily, with nearly 1,800 confirmed cases in Alberta, including one each in Canmore and Banff. The number of active cases now is much higher than the 60 that existed when the states of emergency were originally declared last March. Since studies show that there are about five undiagnosed cases for every diagnosed one, we can assume that there are about a dozen cases in the Valley right now. Tragically 280 Albertans have died, most of whom were seniors.

As we move into fall, we all have a role in staying healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Please read through this entire bulletin and discuss it with those closest to you.

Cases of Covid-19 are climbing steadily, with 1,571 confirmed cases in Alberta, including two in Canmore. The number of active cases in Alberta is far higher now than the 60 that existed in March when the states of emergency were declared. Since studies show that there are about five undiagnosed cases for every diagnosed one, we can assume that there are about twelve cases in Canmore right now. Tragically 265 Albertans have died, most of whom were seniors.

NEWS:

From Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health 

• With regard to a resurgence of cases in Alberta over the weekend: “We are seeing recent pockets of spread, suggesting that people think that they can relax precautions as a result of the slowdown in cases…I think that’s why we need to always be reminding people that this is not over, that the low numbers are a result of the work we’ve done together, that COVID has NOT gone away.” 

• The province’s relaunch plans will be successful only if people continue to work together to make sure those numbers stay low…people may be tempted to believe they no longer need to take precautions. Unfortunately, this is NOT the case. It is CRITICAL that all of us continue to take steps to protect our community.”

NEWS:

From Alberta’s Premier 

“Your efforts and tremendous sacrifices have so far succeeded in containing the spread of the virus far below the devastating scale of the outbreak in many other places…”

NEWS: From Alberta’s Premier

 “Your efforts and tremendous sacrifices have so far succeeded in containing the spread of the virus far below the devastating scale of the outbreak in many other places…”

From Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health

 “I am grateful for the collective efforts and sacrifices of Albertans that have built a barrier between our communities and what could have been an overwhelming surge of cases…I want to stress that the fight against this virus is far from over…we must continue to work together to manage risk, use common sense and remain vigilant to contain this virus. We are all in this together.”

Monthly Bulletin December 2019

NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Alberta Budget 2020

The provincial government released their first budget intentions in November, and while details are still forthcoming, we have been directed to cease taking new applications to the Rent Supplement Program and to suspend adding new clients to the program from the waitlist. We have also been told to expect reductions to the Rent Supplement Program budget, as well as relatively small reductions to our Social Housing Program operating budget.

Monthly Bulletin November 2019

NEWS INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Alberta Budget 2020

The provincial government released their first budget intentions in November, and while details are still forthcoming, we have been directed to cease taking new applications to the Rent Supplement Program and to suspend adding new clients to the program from the waitlist.

MONTHLY BULLETIN

September 2019

NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Bow River Seniors Lodge Fall Tea Party

We will embrace the fall with a special tea party in October. We hope that a festive atmosphere and seasonal treats will help us accept the end of summer in the Bow Valley!

Monthly Bulletin

September 2019

NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Bow River Seniors Lodge Fall Tea Party We will embrace the fall with a special tea party in October. We hope that a festive atmosphere and seasonal treats will help us accept the end of summer in the Bow Valley!

Monthly Bulletin August 2019

NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Designated Supportive Living Operations Planning Senior management continues to work on the development of an operating model in collaboration with Alberta Health Services and other relevant professionals in preparation for operations following the construction of Phase 2.

Monthly Bulletin

June 2019

NEWS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Bow River Seniors’ Lodge Spring Garden Party Our Second Annual Spring Garden Party was held on Saturday, June 1, 2019, to kick off Seniors Week in Alberta. It was a sunny afternoon full of fellowship, live music, snacks, fun activities and more, and it as all for free! Thank you to everyone who helped put it on, and to all who attended and helped make it great!

Monthly Bulletin

May 2019

ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Bow River Seniors’ Lodge Spring Garden Party

Please join us at our Annual Spring Garden Party on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Feel free to drop in anytime, to kick off Seniors Week in Alberta and enjoy community, live music,

Monthly Bulletin

April 2019

ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 Bow River Seniors’ Lodge Spring Garden Party

Please join us at our Annual Spring Garden Party on Saturday, June 1, 2019. Feel free to drop in anytime, to kick off Seniors Week in Alberta and enjoy community, live music, snacks, fun activities and more, all for free! Doors will open at 1:00 p.mm with activities running until 4:00 p.m.

Monthly Bulletin March 2019

ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 2018 External Audit

Kenway Mack Slusarchuk Stewart LLP presented the 2018 Audit Report and Financial Statements to the Board of Directors at the February regular meeting.

 2019 Municipal Requisition

The annual requisition packages will be provided to our contributing members in April, 2019. The requisition subsidizes our seniors’ lodge supportive living program.

Monthly Bulletin February 2019 ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS BVRH Housing Needs Study The consultant is currently incorporating all feedback and information collected during reviews of

ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 2018 Housing Needs Study

The consultant is currently incorporating all feedback and information collected during reviews of the draft report.

 2019 Policy Review

Senior management has conducted a full policy review. The board will be asked to review the recommended changes and additions in 2019.

ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 2018 Strategic Planning

The board has approved the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.

 BVRH Bylaw review

The board has approved the updated BVRH Bylaws.

ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

 2018 Strategic Planning

The board is nearing completion of updated strategic goals.

 BVRH Bylaw review

The board is also nearing completion of the bylaw review.

Monthly Bulletin      July 2018 

 
ACTIVE INITIATIVES AND EVENTS

• 2018 Strategic Planning Workshop

Monthly Bulletin      June 2018 

We invite you, your friends and family to join our Bow River Seniors’ Lodge residents to celebrate Alberta Seniors’ Week with our first annual Bow River Seniors’ Lodge Spring Garden Party on Saturday June 9 from 1-4 pm.

Monthly Bulletin                                                        May 2018

ACTIVE INITIATIVES

 Housing Needs Study         

Monthly Bulletin

April 2018

ACTIVE INITIATIVES

 Housing Needs Study

Our study has moved into the analysis and reporting stage. The project schedule anticipates completion in June of 2018.

ACTIVE INITIATIVES
 Governance Review
The CAO joined the board in a facilitation development session in March, during which organizational governance, including our enacting bylaws were reviewed. A full review of the bylaws will be conducted over the next several months.

Monthly Bulletin
February 2018
 Housing Needs Study
Our study has moved into the analysis and reporting stage. The project schedule anticipates completion in May or June of 2018.

Monthly Bulletin
January 2018

ACTIVE INITIATIVES
 Our residents are settling into their new homes in the New Lodge in Canmore!!

Monthly Bulletin
December 2017

ACTIVE INITIATIVES
 Our New Lodge has opened in Canmore!!

Monthly Bulletin
October 2017
ACTIVE INITIATIVES
 This is Home Phase 3

ACTIVE INITIATIVES
 This is Home Phase 3
CAO has submitted proposals to the Government of Alberta for the next phase.

Monthly Bulletin             

July 2017

ACTIVE INITIATIVES

·         This is Home Phase 3

Monthly Bulletin
June 2017

ACTIVE INITIATIVES
 This is Home Phase 3

CAO has submitted proposals to the Government of Alberta for the next phase

ACTIVE INITIATIVES

·         This is Home Phase 3

Monthly Bulletin             

April 2017

ACTIVE INITIATIVES

This is Home Phase 3

CAO has submitted proposals to the Government of Alberta for the next phase, which is a consolidation of the previously-labelled phases 3 and 4 into a single project:

ACTIVE INITIATIVES
 This is Home Phases 3 and 4
CAO has submitted proposals to the Government of Alberta for the next two phases:
 Phase 3 envisions conversion of the Southeast wing of BRL into independent seniors’ accommodation. This will make efficient use of our available spaces to improve our

Monthly Bulletin           
February 2017

The Bow River Lodge Update      24 January, 2017
Keeping you informed about the This is Home project.

Details, details – then and now!

BVRH Monthly Bulletin            January 2017

2016 Core Need Income Thresholds (CNIT)

The thresholds for Canmore, which control aspects of eligibility and revenue for social and affordable housing programs, do not adequately reflect the actual rental market. CAO is working with Canmore Community Housing Corp (CCHC) advocating for a revision. We are waiting to hear back from Alberta Seniors (Housing) and CMHC.

BVRH Monthly Bulletin            December 2016

2016 Core Need Income Thresholds (CNIT)
The thresholds for Canmore, which control aspects of eligibility and revenue for social and affordable housing programs, do not adequately reflect the actual rental market. CAO is working with Canmore Community Housing Corp (CCHC) advocating for a revision. 

The Bow River Lodge Update  15 November, 2016

Keeping you informed about the This is Home project.

BVRH Monthly Bulletin            November 2016

2016 Core Need Income Thresholds (CNIT)

The thresholds for Canmore, which control aspects of eligibility and revenue for social and affordable housing programs, do not adequately reflect the actual rental market. CAO is working with Canmore Community Housing Corp (CCHC) advocating for a revision.

Work continues on a Bow Valley Housing Needs Study, which will give us the information we need to make sound decisions about how we can best meet the needs of the region, as well as support when seeking government assistance with meeting those needs.

Work continues on a Bow Valley Housing Needs Study, which will give us the information we need to make sound decisions about how we can best meet the needs of the region, as well as support when seeking government assistance with meeting those needs.

Chair and CAO attended a government-led engagement session. Topics discussed included: current state of affordable housing in Alberta; what works now; what can be improved; how to achieve desired outcomes and; roles and responsibilities of organizations that are part of the system.

CAO attended this provincial association event, which included an asset management education component, as well as an address by the Minister of Seniors & Housing, the association’s AGM and, networking sessions.

CAO presented 2 sessions on Fund Raising, and also facilitated a group discussion about the financial challenges faced by public housing bodies. The conference offered educational opportunities, a tradeshow featuring products and services used in the industry, government information sessions, and networking opportunities.

Our request to use our 2015 operating surplus for back logged maintenance projects in 2016 has been approved by the Government of Alberta. This means we have extra money for maintenance this year.

The board has approved the Audited 2015 Financial Statements. The auditors highlighted a very clean audit and positive business practices.

BVRH has acquired fresh data regarding the need for seniors housing in our region, which we will use in decision making and advocacy. Highlights include:

BVRH continues to assist the Government of Alberta with their efforts to house local victims of the southern flooding. This program is winding down; just two tenants remain in place.

The board approved revisions to minimum and maximum lodge accommodation rates, as well as hospitality package rates effective July 1, 2016. The board also approved new additional personal service fee rates effective January 1, 2016.

The BVRH board has approved our 2016-2020 Business Plan, which was developed in accordance to our updated strategic plan. Our core mission, vision, values and goals remain in place, having evolved to some degree.

The BVRH board and senior administration engaged in a planning workshop in September to up date our strategic plan for the period of 2016-2020. The session confirmed the directions taken over the previous period, and refocused our efforts for the next period.

The investigation continues and is expected to take years to generate a report. Damage to the Bow River Seniors Lodge has been confirmed to be mostly non-structural, with very little in the way of structural concerns. Two lodge residential units are out of commission pending repairs. The repair project is being managed by the Province of Alberta, and is in the early stages of tendering.

The investigation continues and is expected to take years to generate a report. Damage to the Bow River Seniors Lodge has been confirmed to be mostly non-structural, with very little in the way of structural concerns. Two lodge residential units are out of commission pending repairs. The repair project is being managed by the Province of Alberta, and is in the early stages of tendering.

The RGI program launched on June 1, 2015, with the transition for existing lodge residents having commenced on July 1, 2015. The board received the monthly communication strategy update.

Spring brought good news to BVRH with the announcement of $6 million in funding from the Alberta Government for Phase Two of the This is Home Project. With matching funds from BVRH, Phase Two will include construction of a 60-unit facility offering Level Three and Four care for seniors facing physical frailty, memory loss, or other issues requiring dedicated nursing support. 

The launch of the RGI program well underway. It will be implemented June 1, 2015 with the transition for existing lodge residents’ beginning July 1, 2015. The board received the monthly communication strategy update.

Check out this special bulletin for more information about our two biggest ongoing initiatives: RGI and the building project. Also, we broke ground last week on the This Is Home project! See images below! 

The annual site inspection used to determine our ability to operate the lodge by the government took place in early March marking the third year in a row that we achieved a perfect score!

Senior managers from Kenway Mack Slusarchuk Stewart presented the audit results and year-end financial statements for 2014. The presenters discussed internal control observations and highlighted the fact that no significant weaknesses were found, nor were any fraudulent or illegal activities detected. 

The board learned that development of a Rent Geared to Income (RGI) program was making good progress and was on schedule. The board reviewed a first draft lodge operations budget. The board was provided with key assumption information. CAO invited feedback during the meeting and over the period until the February regular board meeting. Any changes to the draft budget will be presented for consideration at that meeting. 

Bow River Lodge Update – March 15, 2015 – Keeping you informed about the This Is Home project!

The Alberta Government announced last week that it will provide $6 million in ASLI (Affordable Supportive Living Initiative) funding for Phase Two of the Bow Valley Regional Housing (BVRH) This is Home Project. 

The board held its annual elections on December 16, 2014. Regular meetings of the Board will be held at Bow River Seniors Lodge on the fourth Thursday of every month at 9:00am unless otherwise stated.

The board agreed to explore the development of a comprehensive fundraising program for BVRH further under the guiding principle that we cannot be great without philanthropy. Next steps include: development of an initial budget to fund early program exploration and; hold a fundraising workshop with KEA Canada and the BVRH board.