SACL July 2026 E-Newsletter
Spruce Avenue Community League updates
Important Community Swim Update
The aquatic centre at Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre will be shut down for maintenance from June 29 - September 11, 2026.
Spruce Avenue Members can access community swim at Eastglen Leisure Centre at the same hours:
Saturdays 3-5 pm
Sundays 1-3 pm
Want to swim but not a member? Get your membership here
Spruce Avenue Turns 75!
Spruce Avenue Turns 75!
Monthly Movie Night
July 17, 7:00- 9:00 pm Bill Black Auditorium at the Glenrose Hospital (10230 - 111 Ave).
To access the auditorium, go in the main entrance off of 111 Ave, and the auditorium is to the right - see map:
The July movie is Big Fish (2003), directed by Tim Burton, which depicts life in the 1950s.
Check our Upcoming Events Page for more details
Spruce Avenue Then & Now
Photo Scavenger Hunt
July’s Photo
Take a look at this historic photo of somewhere in our area as it appeared in past decades. If you think you know the spot, snap a photo of what it looks like today and submit it to us using this form, or by emailing it to spruceavehistory@gmail.com.
Every month, everyone who participates will be entered to win a $50 gift certificate for a local business. All participants will be entered in a grand prize draw at the Harvest Fest celebrations in September.
Congratulations to Hing Mok, winner of last month's historical photo contest. He correctly submitted a present day photo of the front entrance of Spruce Avenue School.
This Month in 1951
Spruce Avenue Community League is celebrating our 75th Anniversary in 2026. To bring you back to the year that it all began, here are some fun facts from this month in 1951.
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Show Boat, starring Ava Gardner, Kathryn Grayson, and Howard Keel
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Billboard's number one song is Too Young by Nat King Cole (still!)
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For the first time, a sporting event is telecast in colour when a horse race on CBS takes place.
Source: A year in history
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An epidemic of Indigenous child apprehension
The government began phasing out compulsory residential school education in the 1950s and 1960s as the public began to understand its devastating impacts on families (the last schools did not close until the 1990s). It was the general belief of government authorities at the time that Indigenous children could receive a better education if they were transitioned into the public school system. Residential schools, however, persisted as a sort of boarding school for children whose families were deemed unsuitable to care for them. This transition to provincial services led to a 1951 amendment that enabled the Province to provide services to Indigenous people where none existed federally. Child protection was one of these areas, laying the groundwork for the epidemic of governmental child removal from their families that would later be known as the Sixties Scoop.
Source: First Nations & Indigenous Studies, University of British Columbia
The Edmonton Arts Council is hosting FREE events for kids in our community!
In partnership with City of Edmonton Green Shacks, EAC is hosting Green Shack Shows – free arts performances for children at Green Shacks across the city, five days a week in July and August (weather and air quality dependent). Performers include a diverse array of local artists in magic, music, dance, theatre and more.
Shows in our area will be:
11am - July 17: Blatchford (7727 Yorke Mews) — Steel pan performance with Danielle George
11am - August 17: Spruce Avenue (10240 115 Avenue) — Alicia Cardinal presents Spirit Within
Please check the Edmonton Arts Council website in the near future for details!
Find out more about the EAC and our Green Shack Show events: edmontonarts.ca
Child and Youth Summer Pass
We are excited to help members of our community MoveLearnPlay with the City of Edmonton Recreation Centres and outdoor pools this summer!
The Child & Youth Summer pass will be available for purchase on movelearnplay.ca or at your nearest recreation centre from June 10 - August 31, 2026.
For $25 (2-12 yrs) or $35 (13-17yrs) children and youth have unlimited access to all of City recreation centres and outdoor pools (weather permitting). That’s over 50% off regular rates! This pass is valid for 30 days from activation date. Please note some amenities are age specific.
For more details please review age access guideline here.
LID UPDATE
Construction has resumed, with completion scheduled for this summer. Please note that a section of the sidewalk at 102 Street will be briefly closed. Pedestrian detours will be clearly marked.
Happy Canada Day from MP Hon. Eleanor Olszewski
Kingsway District Association Networking Event
Business BBQ Bash! KDA Networking event.
Making Connections never tasted better! Food, Networking and prizes! Tickets are $25 which includes pork on a bun, side salads and a drink.
Thursday Aug 6 from 5-7 pm at B Street Bar and Grill, register with office@kingswaydistrict.ca