2017 Annual Report - River Valley Alliance

2017
Annual Report

Celebrating our Success.
Building the Future.

Guy Bridgeman

Message from the Board Chair

This year’s annual report theme — Celebrating our Success, Building the Future — speaks to the significant accomplishments we achieved in 2017 and looks ahead to what’s next for the RVA.

With the completion of projects in the Phase I Capital Program, we’re beginning the next chapter in our story as we lay the groundwork for Phase II.

The Plan of Action that was developed over 10 years ago is coming to life in a tangible way, and it’s creating new connections, opportunities and access for people in our seven shareholder municipalities to enjoy the river valley.

These accomplishments demonstrate that the RVA model of collaboration with our shareholders, provincial, and federal governments is effective — and it’s something of which to be proud.

Through a ⅓ funding model with three levels of government, RVA coordinates the planning, funding and development of the trail system that connects and provides access to the river valley. And it’s bringing value to the communities that border the North Saskatchewan River in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, both today and for generations to come. Phase I, a $90 million Capital Program, brought to reality 13 projects including the creation of 70 km of new trails. Phase II, a $100 million Capital Program, will consist of another 13 projects including boat access points, a waterfront promenade, and the creation of 33 km of new trails. Many hands working together make big things like this happen. Thank to you our government partners, RVA Board of Directors, Committee members, staff, and volunteers for your dedication to the RVA’s vision of one connected river valley. We’re celebrating these accomplishments because of your support, and I look forward to continuing this journey together as we take the next steps in building the future with the start of Phase II.

Brent Collingwood

Message from the Executive Director

This was truly a milestone year for the River Valley Alliance and our shareholders, marking the completion of Phase I of the Plan of Action. We saw the conclustion of many projects in 2017 including the Mechanized River Valley Access in Edmonton, Devonian Garden Trail in Parkland County and the Lamoureux Trail in Sturgeon County. This accomplishment is the result of years of planning, investment and cooperation between the RVA and all three levels of government.

The successful launch of the first annual EPCOR RiverFest was a real highlight of 2017. Held over three days in September in the communities of Devon, Edmonton, and Fort Saskatchewan, the event saw over 3,000 people participate in water and land-based activities EPCOR RiverFest enabled us to bring the RVA message to a wider audience by providing an engaging opportunity to celebrate the river valley trail system, highlight the completed RVA capital projects, encourage people to use the trails and infrastructure available, and share our call to action for future RVA projects. A big thanks is in order to EPCOR who played an integral role in making the event as great as it was.

The RVA team continued to grow and change. Connie Smart joined us in November as the Marketing and Communications Manager and leads the implementation of the marketing, communications and outreach portfolios that support the objectives of the Business Plan. I am excited to transition into the role of Executive Director after volunteering with the RVA since 2011 on the Board and Advisory Committee. Larry Wall, who was Executive Director for three years, retired at the end of 2017 to spend more time with his family and on his recreational pursuits. This year promises to continue our momentum. We are in the process of finalizing Phase II of our Capital Plan and the funding support needed for implementation. This phase outlines future project priorities for the RVA and our shareholder municipalities and continues to support our goals of connectivity and river valley access. Plans are also underway to make the second annual EPCOR RiverFest even bigger and better than last year. I am pleased to work with our Board and Committee members, municipal, provincial and federal governments and our dedicated volunteers to ensure these objectives are met. Thank you to all of our shareholders, partners, volunteers and ambassadors for playing a role on this exciting journey towards one connected river valley.

Celebrating Our Success

Completion of Phase I Capital Program

This past year marks the completion of the first phase of the RVA’s Capital program.

1) Lamoureux Trail in Sturgeon County was an example of a multi-partnership collaboration with stakeholders that included TransCanada Trail and Alberta Trail Net.

2) The Devonian Garden Trail in Parkland County, was completed with support from the University of Alberta and Alberta Sport Connection.

3) Mechanized River Valley Access in Edmonton creates access to the river valley, making it accessible to those who may previously have never been able to enjoy it.

Celebrating Our Success

Stakeholder Activities & Events

In April, over 75 guests attended our annual Stakeholder Reception to celebrate the RVA’s achievements. The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure, brought greetings from the Government of Canada and MLA Rod Loyola attended on behalf of the Government of Alberta. The Friends of the River Valley Alliance volunteer program was created in 2017 to provide citizens with information to share with others about the RVA, including encouraging awareness and use of the river valley trail system. Approximately 60 volunteers were trained over three training sessions.

Public Engagement & Outreach

Spreading our message of one connected river valley

Sharing our message with the general public, organizations, and groups is one of the ways the RVA creates strategic partnerships – and ambassadors – that support our vision. Our Board, Committees, volunteers, and staff actively promoted the organization at public events in 2017 including River Day, River Valley Clean Up, the Fort Edmonton Canoe Brigade’s Canada 150 Celebration, and Strathcona County’s “The Great Trail” celebration. Organizations presented to by the RVA Speakers Bureau included Alberta Parks and Recreation, Edmonton Trail Runners, Building Owners and Management Association, and various Rotary groups in our shareholder regions. When it comes to reaching the general public, in 2017 we brought our message to a large and broad audience for the first time with EPCOR RiverFest.

EPCOR RiverFest

EPCOR RiverFest draws nearly 3,000 attendees, wins award in first year.

In September 2017, the RVA, shareholder municipalities and EPCOR held Edmonton and area’s first-ever river valley festival. The idea for EPCOR RiverFest came from a desire to bring people together to celebrate the river valley park system, highlight the work of the RVA, encourage people to use the trails and accessible features that have been completed to date, and bolster a call to action for future RVA projects.

In its first year, the event drew nearly 3,000 attendees across the three locations, called Rendezvous sites. Each Rendezvous consisted of the following: a raft float on the North Saskatchewan River; activities and exhibitors who encouraged attendees to take advantage of local trails, amenities, organizations, clubs and businesses associated with the river valley; and food vendors and entertainment.

Building the Future

Phase II
Capital Program

The successful completion of the first phase of the Capital Program and other initiatives in 2017 is the foundation for the start of Phase II (2018-2022).

A $100 Million
Initiative

The successful completion of the first phase of the Capital Program and other initiatives in 2017 is the foundation for the start of Phase II (2018-2022).

2017 GOVERNANCE AND STAFF

Our Board of Directors includes representation from our seven member municipalities including Councillors from these counties, towns and cities. There are also seven Directors at Large appointed by the Directors at the Annual General Meeting. The Board governs the operations and business of the River Valley Alliance. We also have many dedicated volunteers who commit their time by serving on our four committees that report to the Board.

Finance Committee:

Guy Bridgeman, Chair and Treasurer
Mark McCrae
Chris Sheard/Brent Collingwood

Implementation Committee:

Bob Horton, Chair
Pat Butler
Dennis Dembicki
Arlaine Monaghan
Chris Sheard/Brent Collingwood

Governance Committee:

Wendy Boje, Chair
Dennis Dembicki
Peter Faid
Chris Sheard/Brent Collingwood

Staff:

Larry Wall
Kristine Archibald
Alex Bonokoski
Tina Connolly (Contract)
Tanya Klein
Mackenzie Nugent (MBA Student)
Connie Smart (November - December)
Chris Thrall (January-October)

Special Thanks:

Phil Krysa, Principal, Architectural Works Inc.
Ruth Stiksma, Corporate Support Group
Trevor Tessier, Strong Coffee Marketing
Shannon Troke, King and Company Chartered Accountants