Why join a community league?

It’s been mentioned around these parts before, but community leagues are a pretty neat part of Edmonton. (Bias alert: I’m on a community league.)

But why should I go on and on about why you should try and get plugged into your neighbourhood’s concerns, and how you could help, and how it’s a great community volunteer experience when I can get the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues to give you a couple of points to ponder.

“Take it away, Michael Janz, Marketing Director of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues…”

Edmonton has 152 community leagues. Something special is happening in every neighborhood. Which one do you belong to?

We can't mention enough that you get rewarded with good feelings...and city-wide discounts. (Image: www.efcl.org)

10 of the many reasons to join your Community League

1. A Great Place to Meet Your Neighbours
2. Social activities & events shared with your community at large
3. Programs and recreation opportunities
4. Community skate & swim times
5. Discounts at City Recreation Centers and Tourist Attractions
6. Safety programs and Crime watch cooperation
7. Build new facilities for public use
8. Input for planning your parks, green spaces, and urban development
9. Discount tickets to major league sports games – Eskimos, Oil Kings
10. Hall Rentals

If I can jump back in for a minute, I’ll expand on the top-ten list with some of my experiences.

I don’t think I’d be meeting any of the neighbours I’ve met through the community league, or certainly not at the pace I’m meeting them. Leagues offer lots of events, such as arts days, BBQs, sports, swims, pub nights and more. There are also plenty of leagues that offer up their community halls for your own events. And they’re not that expensive to rent…

Plus, you really do learn about what’s happening in your neighbourhood, what’s happening with City Hall and development and planning on your street, and what kind of input you can offer on such issues.

Back on task, Mr. Janz can tell you about one very big, and very soon, event that could convince you to join a community league:

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues has a promotion going on for the Edmonton Eskimo’s football game this Friday. Lower bowl tickets are available for $18 (more than half the price of a regular $42 ticket) for community league members. To buy a ticket.

You can buy your community league membership online. A single membership could be as little as $5. Your membership also makes you eligible for loads of other discounts around the city such as 20% off an annual pass from City of Edmonton recreation facilities. Leagues often have free swim and skate times for members at pools and rinks around the city.

There. You can learn about your community, meet your neighbours, help shape the area’s future and get into an Eskimos game for cheap. What more could you want?