Updates

** Please watch your driving speed along Ascot Drive **

Be cautious for children, pets, cyclists, and for parked vehicle doors opening!

February 2024

The final reminder for payment of the 2023 Castle Keep Residents' Association annual fees was sent by mail and email on Friday, January 26, 2024. If you have not yet paid your HOA fee, please contact admin@blackstonemgmt.ca to discuss payment options.

This annual HOA fee covers the period from June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current; including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward. If you would like to continue to receive your reminders by mail, please contact us  with your property address and request to opt-out of email communications.

October 2023

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Thursday, November 16, 2023
7:00pm
Virtual meeting via Webex 
Castle Keep 2023 AGM Package and meeting details

September 2023

The second reminder for the 2023 Castle Keep Residents’ Association annual fee was sent on September 15, 2023. The reminder was emailed out to owners with emails on file. Please check your junk email folder if you have not received it. For owners with only a mailing address on file, the reminder was mailed. This annual fee covers the period from June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024. Fees are now overdue, if you have not yet paid your annual fee, please contact us to discuss payment options.

​It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current, including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward, where possible. If you do not have an email on file, please contact us to update your current email address for future communications.

May 2023

​

The 2023 Castle Keep Residents’ Association annual fee statement was communicated to all owners on May 17, 2023. This annual HOA fee covers the period from June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024. Payment of the full amount must be received by June 30, 2023 to avoid late payment charges.

For owners with emails on file, the annual statement was emailed out. If you have not received the statement, please check your junk email folder. For owners with only a mailing address on file, the annual statement was mailed out. 
​It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current; including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward, where possible. 

January 2023

The final reminder for payment of the 2022 Castle Keep Residents' Association annual fees was sent by mail and email on Monday, January 16, 2023. If you have not yet paid your HOA fee, please contact admin@blackstonemgmt.ca to discuss payment options.

This annual HOA fee covers the period from June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current; including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward. If you would like to continue to receive your reminders by mail, please contact us with your property address and request to opt-out of email communications.

November 2022

A friendly reminder to please pick up after your pets! Promptly pick up all solid waste material from your pet and dispose of it appropriately. By taking a few simple steps to clean up after your pet, you can help eliminate a prominent nuisance and contribute to the beautification of our community.

October 2022

The second reminder for the 2022 Castle Keep Residents’ Association annual fee was sent on October 21, 2022. The reminder was emailed out to owners with emails on file, please check your junk email folder if you have not received it. For owners with only a mailing address on file, the reminder was mailed. This annual fee covers the period from June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023. Fees are now overdue, if you have not yet paid your annual fee, please contact us to discuss payment options.

​It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current, including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward, where possible. If you do not have an email on file, please contact us to update your current email address for future communications.

October 2022

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Thursday, October 6, 2022
7:00pm
Virtual meeting via Webex 
Castle Keep 2022 AGM Package and meeting details

May 2022

The 2022 Castle Keep Residents’ Association annual fee statement was communicated to all owners on May 13, 2022. This annual HOA fee covers the period from June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023. Payment of the full amount must be received by June 30, 2022 to avoid late payment charges.

For owners with emails on file, the annual statement was emailed out. If you have not received the statement, please check your junk email folder. For owners with only a mailing address on file, the annual statement was mailed out. 
​It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current; including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward, where possible. 

January 2022

The final reminder for the payment of the 2021 Castle Keep Residents' Association annual fees was sent by mail and email on Friday, January 14, 2022. If you have not yet paid your HOA fee, please contact admin@blackstonemgmt.ca to discuss payment options.

This annual HOA fee covers the period from June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022.

It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current; including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward. If you would like to continue to receive your reminders by mail, please contact us with your property address and request to opt-out of email communications.

October 2021

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Thursday, November 18, 2021
7:00pm
Virtual meeting via Webex 
Castle Keep 2021 AGM Package and meeting details

May 2021

The 2021 Castle Keep Residents’ Association annual fee statement was communicated to all owners on May 14, 2021. This annual HOA fee covers the period from June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2022. Payment of the full amount must be received by June 1, 2021 to avoid late payment charges. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to keep their contact information current; including mailing address, email, and phone number. Please note HOA communications will be sent by email going forward. 

January 2021

The Castle Keep Residents’ Association has retained the services of Blackstone Property Management Inc. (BPM) to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Residents’ Association. Duties include executing and managing all contracts entered into by the CKRA, collection of the annual resident association fee, managing inquiries, updating the register of owners’ database, maintaining insurance, administering the annual audit, annual budget preparation, monthly financial statement preparation, and collaborating with the Board on initiatives.

Important Notes

• The 2021 annual fee due date has been changed to June 1st this year. A reminder notice with all the relevant details will be sent out in advance of the due date.

• In an effort to be environmentally responsible, minimize mailing costs, increase the timeliness of communication, and minimize physical document exchange, the HOA will be administering communications via email going forward.

October 2020

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Thursday, October 8, 2020
7:00pm

Strathcona, Christie, Aspen Community Association
277 Strathcona Drive S.W., Calgary

Thank you to all attendees!

~ Our 2020-2021 Board of Directors ~

Josh Lau, President
Dwayne Cooper, Vice President
Karla Pollock, Treasurer
Anthony Jankowski, Director

President's Report:

To begin with I will explain what the residents’ association is and what our roles and scope of duties are.

A residents’ association is a compulsory organization created by a land developer to manage and maintain amenities of a development that the city will not accept responsibility to maintain. In our neighbourhood this includes the entrance lot park, boulevard and bridge feature. Membership is compulsory as is the requirement to pay an annual fee collected by the association through an encumbrance on title. We are a registered non-profit organization and operate as a board of volunteers. We can hire staff but have not so far.

The volunteer board of directors was formed in 2014 to manage the landscaping maintenance of the community in replacement of the developer. All volunteers on this board are Castle Keep residents who were elected at previous annual general meetings.

Our mandate and objective is the beautification of Castle Keep, through the management of neighbourhood enhancements such as flower beds, the entrance park and its features, the timber bridge, decorative container planters and the additional maintenance of City of Calgary boulevards, trees and parks. These enhancements are only possible through the annual CKRA fees, which are mandatory.

The fee is a legal requirement of all property owners in Castle Keep as registered with Alberta Land Titles as an encumbrance on each residential property that was developed wholly or in partnership with Dundee / Dream Developments Inc. In other words the agreement to pay the annual fees was signed when the property was purchased.

The resident’s association is a separate organization from the Strathcona, Christie, Aspen Community Association (SCA). That organization is also a volunteer based organization but as a community association has a different focus being activities, events and social programs. In addition they take responsibility for raising important issues that directly affect the Aspen community such as traffic issues, land development and consultation with the City of Calgary.

Next, I am happy to share some of our work over the past year:

- Lawn maintenance was provided by a local operator Chewy’s Lawn Care
- Pixie Gardens once again cared for the flower beds, hedges, shrubs, planter containers and care for the playground park. They look after planting, fertilizing and maintaining the flowers and perennial plants, controlling weeds, edging of plant beds and keeping the mulch looking fresh and clean.
- Pixie also provides the winter arrangements in the containers throughout the neighbourhood.
- Snow removal around the entrance park and the empty lot at 184 Ascot Cres was provided by Best Bet Lawn and Snow.
- Christmas light install at the entrance park was provided by a local operator Stella Lights

~ thank you,
Josh Lau

​

September 2019

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Monday, September 9, 2019
7:00pm
West Springs Co-op Shopping Centre - 917 85 Street S.W., Calgary
- in the upstairs "Community Room"

Thank you to all attendees!

~ Our 2019-2020 Board of Directors ~

 Josh Lau, President
Dwayne Cooper, Vice President
Karla Pollock, Treasurer
Nana Boadi, Director  
Anthony Jankowski, Director  

President's Report:

Because I suspect that we have some new owners in attendance this evening, I would like to explain what this residents' association is and what our roles and scope of duties are.

We are a non-profit organization responsible for the ongoing maintenance of shared common spaces as well as landscaping enhancements in the community of Castle Keep. The developer of this community turned over the landscaping maintenance to its' residents to manage in April of 2014 and a volunteer Board of Directors was formed. All volunteers on this Board are Castle Keep residents who were elected at previous annual general meetings.

Our mandate and objective is the beautification of Castle Keep, through the management of neighbourhood enhancements such as flower beds, the entrance park and it's features, the timber bridge, decorative planter containers and the extra landscaping and maintenance of City of Calgary boulevards, trees and parks.
These enhancements are only possible through the annual CKRA fees, which are mandatory.

The fee is a legal requirement of all property owners in Castle Keep and has been registered with Alberta Land Titles as an encumbrance on each and every residential property that was developed wholly or in partnership with Dundee / Dream Developments Inc.
In other words, each of us with an encumbrance signed an agreement to pay the annual fees when we purchased the property.

One more thing that may be helpful to clarify before I proceed with our update ….

We are a separate organization from the Strathcona, Christie and Aspen Community Association. That organization is also a volunteer-based organization but their focus is hosting sports activities, family events and social programs for all age groups at their community hall, outdoor fields and skating rinks. And they have additional responsibilities, including important issues that directly affect the Aspen community, such as traffic issues, land development and consultation with the City of Calgary.
I hope that maybe helps explain the difference between our residents' association and the SCA community association.

I am happy to share some of our work over the past year:

- Fresh new flags installed on timber bridge.
- We tried a new lawn maintenance company for mowing and weed control in the parks and boulevards for 2018 but it did not work out so well so we returned to the previous lawn maintenance company for 2019. We were not pleased with their irrigation service or water hauling either so we returned to the previous contractors to maintain our sprinkler lines and water delivery for boulevards. We're back to much better lawn maintenance and irrigation service results.
- Pixie Gardens once again cared for the flower beds, hedges, shrubs, planter containers and care for the playground park. They look after planting, fertilizing and maintaining the flowers and perennial plants, controlling weeds, edging of plant beds and keeping the mulch looking fresh and clean.
-We hired Best Bet Lawn for sidewalk Snow Removal around the entrance park and in front of the empty lot on Ascot Crescent.
-Pixie Gardens once again decorated the planter containers with a winter theme .. holly berries, pinecones, white birch branches and spruce tips
-A small local company was hired to decorate the entrance park with Christmas lights.

~ thank you,
Josh Lau

June 2018

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Monday, June 18, 2018
7:00pm
West Springs Co-op Shopping Centre - 917 85 Street S.W., Calgary
- in the upstairs "Community Room"

~ Our 2018-2019 Board of Directors ~

 Josh Lau, President
Dwayne Cooper, Vice President

Tim Kessel, Secretary

Karla Pollock, Treasurer
Nana Boadi, Director  
Anthony Jankowski, Director  
Paola San Juan, Director


President's Report:

​

I am happy to share some of our work over the past year:

- 4 more planter containers were delivered last June. They complimented the existing containers at the entrance median as they are a different size and shape and create nice groupings.
- We stayed with the same lawn maintenance company for mowing and weed control in the parks and boulevards.
- We also stayed with the same irrigation company to maintain our sprinkler lines.
- Pixie Gardens once again cared for the flower beds, hedges, shrubs and care for the playground park. They look after planting, fertilizing and maintaining the flowers and perennial plants, controlling weeds, edging of plant beds and keeping the mulch looking fresh and clean.
- Harding's Painting painted the knight.
- Stain touch-ups were done to timber bridge.
- In the fall, Pixie Gardens planted 300 Daffodil and 300 Tulip flower bulbs in the entrance park, median bed and playground beds.
-We hired Green Dreams Landscapes for sidewalk Snow Removal around the entrance park and in front of the empty lot on Ascot Crescent.
- Pixie Gardens once again decorated the planter containers with a winter theme .. holly berries, pinecones, white birch branches and spruce tips
- A small local company was hired to decorate the entrance park with Christmas lights and their electrician performed some minor electrical repairs.

… New this season:

- We hired a new landscaper, called Calscapes, for mowing, fertilizing and weed control in the parks and boulevards. They are in the process of edging tree wells along Ascot Drive. They will also provide irrigation system maintenance and water hauling service throughout the season.
- Calscapes will manage sidewalk snow removal next winter.
- Fresh new flags have been ordered for the timber bridge.

~ thank you,

Josh Lau

June 2017

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Monday, June 5, 2017

7:00pm
West Springs Co-op Shopping Centre - 917 85 Street S.W., Calgary
- in the upstairs "Community Room"

~ Our 2017-2018 Board of Directors ~

Patrick Browne, President     
Josh Lau, Vice-President
Elizabeth Croft, Secretary
Karla Pollock, Treasurer
Nana Boadi, Director  

Dwayne Cooper, Director (newly elected)
Becky Elkabir, Director 

Anthony Jankowski, Director (newly elected)    
Tim Kessler, Director
Paola San Juan, Director

President's Report:

I am happy to share some of our work over the past year:

- We stayed with the same lawn maintenance company for mowing and weed control in the parks and boulevards.
- We also stayed with the same irrigation company to maintain our sprinkler lines.
- We had Pixie Gardens once again care for the flower beds, hedges, shrubs and care for the playground park. They look after planting, fertilizing and maintaining the flowers and perennial plants, controlling weeds, edging of plant beds and keeping the mulch looking fresh and clean.
- Fresh mulch was added to all tree wells along Ascot Drive.
- In the fall, Paola retained quotes and ordered 5 more durable planter containers for the boulevards. One was placed at the top of 14 Avenue --- an olive branch to those homes way up by Webber Academy who have to pay fees too.
- No water delivery was required for the trees last summer due to the constant rain we received. … Good thing is that we saved a lot of money.
- The acreage property near the top of Ascot Drive was sold in the fall and our lawyer adjusted it's Alberta Land Title for it to be included in our Residents' Association. We officially now have 251 properties in our Association.
- Nana and Becky organized a Stampede bbq in July and a Family Halloween party in October.
- In August, we hired a professional consultant to assist in a Collections Process with an attorney. 19 owners were sent to Collections.
- In the fall, 400 Daffodil, 400 Hyacinth and 300 Tulip flower bulbs were planted by Pixie Gardens in the entrance park, median bed and playground beds.
- Paola and Karla received several estimates to have snow and ice cleared from the sidewalks around the entrance park. We chose to hire a reasonably priced company called Hydra Landscaping & Snow Removal.
- Pixie Gardens decorated the planter containers with a winter theme ... holly berries, pinecones, white birch branches and spruce tips
- Becky received estimates for seasonal lighting. A local company was hired to decorate the entrance park with Christmas lights. Some electrical improvements were made so we didn't have to steal power from the next door neighbour (just joking – he donated it the year before).
- 4 more planter containers are expected to be delivered in mid June. They will compliment the existing containers at the entrance as they are a different size and shape and will create nice groupings.
- We purchased a reusable sandwich board sign from Bow Signs to announce AGM meetings and post fee reminders.
- The stain on the bridge was touched up.
- And once again, it was nice to see residents spending time outdoors enjoying the community. Watching the ducks and muskrats, running and biking the pathways and walking their dogs. Neighbours cleared snow from the west pond and families were able to skate and shoot some hockey pucks through the winter.

~ thank you,
Patrick Browne

October & November 2016

The Castle Keep Fall Harvest Potluck
Sunday, October 30, 2016

1:00 - 4:00pm

Playground
Wear your Halloween costumes!  Prizes for best-dressed adult and couple!
Finger foods, veggies, fruit and cultural foods welcome

July 2016

~ Castle Keep Family BBQ ~
Sunday, June 17, 2016

1:00-3:30pm
Join us for a block party!
In front of the playground on Ascot Crescent
Fun activities, raffles and a bbq hot dog lunch
**please bring your own lawn chairs**

June 2016

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Monday, June 6, 2016

7:00pm

West Springs Co-op Shopping Centre - 917 85 Street S.W., Calgary
- in the upstairs "Community Room"

~ Our 2016-2017 Board of Directors ~

Patrick Browne, President     
Josh Lau, Vice-President
Elizabeth Croft, Secretary
Karla Pollock, Treasurer
Nana Boadi, Director 

Becky Elkabir, Director (newly elected)        
Tim Kessler, Director
Paola San Juan, Director (newly elected)      

President's Report:

I am happy to share some of our work over the past year.
- The bridge was professionally re-stained and the metal hardware was cleaned of rust and re-painted.
- Nana retained quotes for the tattered old bridge flags to be replaced.  And it seems like residents are happy with the new ones.
- We increased our liability and vandalism insurance for the parks and decorative structures (bridge, stone walls, metal knight statue)
- Fresh new mulch was added to the entrance median, to the entrance park around the hedges and beds and around the playground park.
- In the fall, 450 Daffodil flower bulbs were planted in the entrance park and median beds.
- Nana organized the Second Annual Family Harvest Potluck Block Party in October.  She organized a street closure for a bouncy castle, professional face painting, basketball hoop, activity contests, mini-pumpkin decorating, door prizes and Halloween costume prizes.  It was a sunny day with lots of decorations, tables full of home-made food and goodies and attended by over 75 residents.
- Bobbi retained quotes and a local company was hired to decorate the entrance park trees with Christmas lights.  The neighbour next door to the park kindly donated use of his electricity to power the lights.
- We started our landscaping process slowly. A couple of years ago, we had only a lawn maintenance company.  Then last year, we added some planting services from a local professional landscaping company, called Pixie Gardens.  And now we have increased the use of Pixie Garden's services to completely care for the flower beds, hedges, shrubs and care for the playground park.  They look after planting and maintaining the flowers and perennial plants, controlling weeds and keeping the mulch looking fresh and clean.
- Volunteers pick trash in the parks and green spaces and also monitor for graffiti.
- We petitioned the City of Calgary for no-parking signs on Ascot Drive to help with visibility for the two exits from the townhouses.  The City installed two sets of 'no-parking within 5 metres' signs and Calgary Parking Authority will monitor and ticket vehicles in violation.
- Bobbi retained quotes and ordered durable flower planters for the entrance median and playground.  If budget allows, the planters can also be decorated with winter theme .. holly, fir tree branches, etc..
- It was nice to see residents spending time outdoors enjoying the community.  Watching the ducks and muskrats, running and biking the pathways and walking their dogs.  Neighbours cleared snow from the west pond and families were able to skate and shoot around some hockey pucks on cold winter days.

…. Future projects ….
- Petition the City to replace dead City-owned trees.
- Petition the City to have garbage receptacles placed along the Ascot Drive City-owned pedestrian walk-way.
- Establish an attorney collections process to legally collect on outstanding fees.

~ thank you,

Patrick Browne

October 2015

Castle Keep 2nd Annual Fall Harvest Potluck
Sunday, October 18, 2015

1:00-4:00pm

Everyone Welcome!
- gather at the playground on Ascot Crescent S.W.
- please bring a nut-free finger food snack to share
- fun harvest-themed games, prizes, snacks and beverages - come meet your neighbours!
- kids and parents, feel free to wear your Halloween costumes!!
~ If you have not yet paid your Residents' Association fees, you may pay your outstanding fees at the event

September 2015

~  Annual General Meeting  ~
Tuesday, September 29, 2015

7:00pm

West Springs Co-op Shopping Centre - 917 85 Street S.W., Calgary

- in the upstairs "Community Room"

~ Our 2015-2016 Board of Directors ~

Patrick Browne, President     
Josh Lau, Vice-President

Elizabeth Croft, Secretary  (newly elected)

Karla Pollock, Treasurer

Nana Boadi, Director          

Tim Kessler, Director  (newly elected)

Bobbi Pavao, Director            

July & August 2015

- We hired a small local landscaping company to plant flowers and replace some of the dead shrubs with perennials.  They will be controlling the weeds and maintaining the flower and shrub beds throughout the season.  Another company is providing regular grass mowing.

- Entrance shrub beds and playground beds were topped up with fresh mulch.

- As last season, we hired a water company to water the playground park grass and trees, the entrance median shrubs and the trees and the grassy medians along the east side of Ascot Drive and the west side of Ascot Drive, south of the timber bridge.  
The green bags attached to the base of the trees are water reservoirs.

- The timber bridge has been re-stained and the metal brackets painted.  Flags will be replaced in coming weeks.

- An application has been submitted to The City of Calgary for "playground speed limit" signs for the playground.

November 2014

~ We now offer online payment of Residents' Association fees.

** URGENT - Several serious vehicle prowlings, vehicle thefts and house break-ins are being reported by residents in the townhouses and houses.

Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle.  Lock vehicle doors, lock house doors and watch that your overhead garage doors are closed.  

Report any incidents to Calgary Police Service.

October 2014

Castle Keep Fall Harvest Potluck

Sunday, October 19, 2014

12:30-3:30pm

Everyone Welcome!

- gather at the playground on Ascot Crescent S.W.

- please bring a nut-free finger food snack to share

- fun harvest-themed games, prizes, snacks and beverages - come meet your neighbours!

- kids, feel free to wear your Halloween costumes!!

~ If you have not yet paid your Residents' Association fees, you may pay your outstanding fees at the event

July 2014

- Volunteers planted Petunias in June ... but our rabbit neighbours ate those down so we replanted Geraniums and sprinkled some deterrent powder, as recommended by a greenhouse, for the rabbits and deer.  Fingers crossed!

- We asked the landscaper to increase the frequency of weeding.  The weed product that he uses on the grass is safe for children and pets.  Please note that we are not allowed to use weed product on the city-owned grass boulevards, playground park grass, trees and shrubs.

- We are replacing dead shrubs and hedges in mid July.

- We hired a water company to water the playground park grass and trees, the entrance median shrubs and the trees and the grassy medians along the east side of Ascot Drive and the west side of Ascot Drive, south of the timber bridge.  

The green bags attached to the base of the trees are water reservoirs.

- A website announcement was created and was distributed to all 250 Castle Keep households in early July. 

Thank you kindly for your patience!

~ from your Board volunteers ~

Feedback Please

~ flower and plant suggestions??

~ contractor suggestions??

~ wish to join our volunteer Board??