Beltline Community Background
Beltline is a region of central Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The area is located immediately to the south of Calgary’s downtown (south of 9th Avenue and the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks), and is sometimes considered part of downtown. The neighbourhood is bound on the south by the popular 17th Avenue, on the west by 14th Street West and on the east by the Elbow River.
The first established district in the neighbourhood was Connaught in 1905, followed by Victoria Park in 1914. When the region and its redevelopment plan were formally established in 2003, it amalgamated the inner city neighbourhoods of Victoria Park and Connaught.
CONNAUGHT
Connaught was established in 1905, and comprises the western part of the Beltline, west of 4th Street W. Residents in this community had a median household income of $38,960 in 2000, and 26.1% of residents living in the neighbourhood were low-income.
VICTORIA PARK
Queen Victoria pictured in the monument to the Second Boer War at Central Memorial Park. Victoria Park comprises the eastern part of the Beltline, is bisected by Macleod Trail, and contains the Warehouse district. It was named after Queen Victoria, who is celebrated in a monument to the Second Boer War located in Central Memorial Park. Victoria Park is adjacent to the Stampede Grounds and the Scotiabank Saddledome arena. Residents in this community had a median household income of $28,843 in 2000, and there were 34.2% low income residents living in the neighbourhood.
Beltline Community Association
What is Beltline Communities?
Beltline Communities of Victoria and Connaught is a “next generation” community association for the Beltline. It became obvious to them that the disconnected neighborhoods south of the tracks had a common character. Combining Connaught, Victoria, and south Downtown was essential to urban success. The former communities of Victoria and Connaught amalgamated in 2003 and City Council approved the new Beltline community district.
What are the objectives of Beltline Communities?
The objectives of the society are to advance the urban character, urban interests, reputation, quality, diversity, urban culture, well-being, social environment, economy, heritage, infrastructure, community, planning and development, urban forest, public realm, recreational opportunity, enjoyment and appreciation of the Beltline Community district and its residents through communications, programming, partnerships, public education, democratic representation, and initiative.
What does Beltline Communities do?
We facilitate the operation of our standing committees of the board. Beltline Communities does communications, marketing and advocacy for the community.
There are four main committees: Beltline Heritage Group, Beltline Parks & Public Places, Beltline Planning Group, and Beltline Social Environment. Planning Group maintains a separate office with its own planner.
