Signal Hill Community Association: Programs, Events & How to Join

The Signal Hill Community Association (SHCA) has been the civic backbone of this corner of southwest Calgary since July 1987. It’s volunteer-run, it covers roughly 14,000 residents across three sub-communities — Signal Hill, Sienna Hills, and Richmond Hill — and its motto is worth quoting: “A neighbourhood is something you do, not something you live in.”

That’s not just a tagline. The SHCA coordinates the outdoor rink that runs November through March, organizes Neighbour Day every summer, handles advocacy on zoning and infrastructure issues, and maintains the community’s recreation facilities. It operates out of the Sienna Hills Community Centre at 489 Sienna Park Drive SW. The geographic boundaries run 17th Avenue to the north, Sarcee Trail to the east, Glenmore Trail to the south, and 69th Street SW to the west.

If you’ve just moved to Signal Hill or you’re researching the neighbourhood before buying, this page covers what the SHCA does, how membership works, and why it matters for the quality of life here. For the broader neighbourhood context — history, demographics, sub-community breakdowns — see the Signal Hill Neighbourhood Guide.

What the Community Association Does

The SHCA runs on five core functions. Some of these are the kind of thing you only notice when they disappear.

1. The outdoor rink. This is the SHCA’s signature operation and the single largest budget item (38% of annual spending). Two ice sheets — one for hockey, one for leisure skating — plus a skate shack and change rooms. The rink runs November through March, weeknights until 9:30 PM. Last season it was open 94 nights. Volunteer rink crews handle flooding, snow clearing, and shack duties on a rotating schedule. It’s a genuine community gathering point, not just a patch of ice.

2. Community events. Neighbour Day is the big one — a free, all-ages summer event that draws 300+ people. Bouncing castles, petting zoo, food trucks, live music, yard games, face painting, and a raffle. The Parade of Garage Sales is exactly what it sounds like: a coordinated neighbourhood-wide sale day that brings foot traffic through streets that normally only see it on Halloween. Community Cleanup recruits volunteers to pick up the tri-community area each spring (87 bags of garbage collected last year). Casino Night is a biennial fundraiser held at Cowboys Casino.

3. Programs. The SHCA runs a Seniors Sewing Club (free, 55+), partners with the Calgary Public Library on nutrition workshops, and administers the Jack Leslie Youth Environmental Grant — $500 awards for young people doing environmental work in the community.

4. Advocacy. When zoning applications, infrastructure projects, or water restrictions affect Signal Hill, Sienna Hills, or Richmond Hill, the SHCA represents the community’s interests. This is the less visible work, but it’s arguably the most important. Developers and city planners listen to community associations in ways they don’t listen to individual homeowners.

5. Local economy support. The SHCA maintains a community partner map featuring local businesses that offer member discounts. It’s a small thing, but it creates a tangible connection between membership and everyday life in the neighbourhood.

Membership

SHCA membership runs April 1 through March 31. There are three tiers:

Tier	Cost	Who It’s For
Resident	$20/year	Households in Signal Hill, Sienna Hills, or Richmond Hill
Non-Resident	$30/year	Adjacent communities (Westgate, Glendale, Aspen, Strathcona)
Supporter	$100/year	Extra funding contribution + recognition

You can join online at shca.getcommunal.com/memberships. Payment is accepted by e-transfer, cheque, or card. Financial hardship assistance is available — the SHCA doesn’t want cost to be a barrier.

What membership gets you:

• Priority booking for the outdoor rink, pickleball courts, volleyball, and basketball
• Voting rights at the October Annual General Meeting (AGM)
• Discounts at partner businesses (show your SHCA membership card)
• The Signal Hill View newsletter
• Free community classifieds
• Early access to event registration

For context on how your dues are spent: 38% goes to rink operations, 24% to events, 18% to facilities maintenance, 14% to administration, and 6% to the reserve fund. That breakdown tells you what the SHCA prioritizes — the rink and community events take nearly two-thirds of the budget.

Facilities & Recreation

The SHCA manages several recreation facilities within the community:

• Outdoor rink — 2 ice sheets (hockey + leisure), skate shack with change rooms. Open November through March, weeknights until 9:30 PM. Free to use; SHCA members get priority booking for organized games.
• Pickleball courts — Available seasonally. Members can book court times. Pickleball has exploded across Calgary, and the SHCA courts see heavy use in summer.
• Beach volleyball — Sand courts for drop-in and organized play during warmer months.
• Basketball court — Open for casual use. No booking required.

These facilities sit alongside the broader amenity picture in Signal Hill — Battalion Park for trails and off-leash, Westside Recreation Centre for pools and gym, and the network of pathways connecting the sub-communities. The Schools & Amenities Guide covers the full picture.

Key Events

The SHCA calendar rotates through a handful of anchor events each year. Exact dates change annually, so check shca.ca/events for the current schedule.

Neighbour Day — The marquee event. Free, all ages. Bouncing castles, petting zoo, food trucks, live music, yard games, face painting, and a community raffle. Last year drew 300+ attendees. Typically held in summer. This is the event that makes Signal Hill feel like a neighbourhood rather than a collection of houses.

Parade of Garage Sales — A coordinated garage sale day across Signal Hill, Sienna Hills, and Richmond Hill. The SHCA advertises it, provides maps, and the neighbourhood turns into a walking market for a Saturday morning. Good for decluttering and for meeting neighbours you’ve waved at from your car for three years but never actually spoken to.

Community Cleanup — A spring cleanup day covering all three sub-communities. Volunteers fan out with garbage bags, and last year collected 87 bags of litter, debris, and windblown recycling. It’s practical civic maintenance, and it’s also one of those events where you end up chatting with people from blocks you’ve never walked.

Casino Night — A biennial fundraiser held at Cowboys Casino. Proceeds support the SHCA’s operating budget. Volunteer shifts are required to run the event — this is one of the ways community associations in Calgary generate operating funds outside of membership dues.

Volunteering

The SHCA runs entirely on volunteers. There’s no paid staff. If you’re looking to get involved, the main opportunities are:

• Rink crew — November through March, rotating shifts. Involves flooding the ice, clearing snow, and staffing the skate shack. This is the backbone of the rink operation.
• Cleanup Day volunteers — One day in spring, a few hours of your time. Low commitment, high visibility.
• Neighbour Day staffing — Help set up, run activities, and tear down for the summer event. Usually a half-day commitment.
• Board positions — Elected at the October AGM. Expect 4–10 hours per month depending on the role. This is where policy, budgets, and advocacy happen.
• Casino Night shifts — Required volunteer positions when the SHCA holds its biennial casino fundraiser.

To volunteer or ask questions, email info@shca.ca. The SHCA is always looking for rink crew in particular — it’s hard to keep 94 nights of ice operations running without a deep bench of volunteers.

How to Get Involved

Whether you’re a long-time Signal Hill resident or you’re still deciding if this is the right neighbourhood for you, here’s how to connect with the community association:

• Join as a member — shca.getcommunal.com/memberships ($20/year for residents)
• Visit the SHCA website — shca.ca for the latest news, events, and community updates
• Follow on social media — Facebook and Instagram (@shca.yyc) for event announcements and community photos
• Volunteer — Email info@shca.ca to ask about current volunteer needs
• Attend the AGM — Held each October. Open to all members. This is where board positions are elected and the budget is approved.

The Sienna Hills Community Centre is located at 489 Sienna Park Drive SW, Calgary, AB T3H 4M9. Mailing address: 1150-246 Stewart Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 3C8.