The scoop on Edmonton's Community Leagues

Photo from the City of Edmonton Photo Gallery

If you live in Edmonton there's a very good chance your area has a community league. Your community league works to improve your neighbourhood and the quality of life its residents enjoy. Different leagues have different focuses: from advocacy, to infrastructure improvement, to community-building, and many things in between!

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues offers support, advice, and resources to local leagues. The EFCL website is a great starting point to get acquainted with the general league concept and get some ideas of the benefits they offer.

Join Your Local League

September is membership renewal time for all community leagues. If you haven't already joined your local league you should consider it! To find out what community league you should join, use the postal code search tool on the EFCL website.

Membership costs range from $5 to $40, depending on the league. This wide range in costs reflects the range of amenities offered by different leagues. For example, some league maintain ice rinks and community halls, while others do not.

If you're interested in becoming more involved and helping to benefit your neighbourhood consider joining the board of your community league. As a board member you can help advocate for the issues you feel are important to your community; Whether that means having your say on planning and development issues or helping to fund a new playground.

Membership Has Its Benefits

Community league members have access to a host of discounts and freebies. Some of these are specific to your league, while others are available to anyone in Edmonton with a community league membership.

• Community League Wellness Program
  This city program allows members from any league to present their membership and receive a 10% discount on yearly, monthly, or 10-visit recreation passes.
• Free Community Swim Times
  Some community leagues negotiate contracts with local pools to give their members free access for a 2-hour window each week. Check this PDF list to see if you league participates.

• Community Rinks
  Many leagues maintain community rinks and offer members free access.

Community League Day 2012

September 15 is officially Community League Day in Edmonton. This is a great opportunity to meet your local league members and neighbours, partake in some yummy free food and activities, and purchase your annual league membership in person!

Check out the list on the EFCL website to see if there's an event happening in your 'hood.