🐔 Community Chicken Coop Project Update June 5th, 2026
🌻 A Community Gift in Memory of Robin Swiderski
Following our recent Annual General Meeting, a generous community donation of $2,500 has been pledged in memory of Robin Swiderski, a local resident and backyard chicken keeper who passed away earlier this year.
Robin cared deeply for her hens, including her favourite hen, Betty, who was lovingly remembered for getting into trouble in the tomato plants.
This gift arrives at a meaningful time for the project and is a beautiful reminder of how community-led ideas can carry forward the stories, care, and generosity of the people who help shape a neighbourhood.
We are exploring ways to permanently recognize Robin’s memory within the project itself, including the possibility of naming the coop and run in her honour.
📐 Moving Into the Design Phase
This donation brings total community fundraising to approximately $3,658, covering more than half of the initial architectural planning costs required for the project.
The complete architectural package is expected to cost approximately $5,760. To keep the project moving forward, the Winston Heights–Mountview Community Association has committed to covering the remaining amount so planning work can begin immediately rather than waiting for additional fundraising.
This is a major milestone for the project. The architectural package will provide the site plans, building drawings, and supporting documentation required to begin the City approval process.
Once completed, these drawings will allow us to submit development and permitting applications and move one step closer to construction.
While the Association is advancing the remaining funds, we will continue seeking donations, sponsorships, grants, and community support to help reimburse these costs and fund future permitting, regulatory, and construction expenses.
💛 Help Build Robin’s Legacy
Thanks to the generosity of our community, architectural planning can now move forward. The Community Association has committed to covering the remaining design costs so work can begin immediately.
Donations received today will help reimburse those costs and support the next project milestones, including permit fees, City approvals, site preparation, construction materials, fencing, coop infrastructure, educational programming, and future improvements.
Every contribution helps transform this project from a set of drawings into a real community space for education, food resilience, and connection.
🌾 Donate to the Community Chicken CoopDonations support planning, permitting, construction, education, and long-term sustainability of the project.
While the Winston Heights–Mountview Community Association was unfortunately not selected for funding through the ClimateReadyYYC Large Grant program this round, support like this demonstrates just how much enthusiasm exists for creating a community chicken coop and education space in our neighbourhood.
In only a few months, the project has grown from a simple idea into an organized community initiative with:
- An active volunteer committee
- Strong public interest and community engagement
- Partnerships with local veterinarians, farmers, and agricultural suppliers
- Architectural planning now moving forward
- Urban hen education programming in development
- Media coverage across Calgary highlighting the project and its goals
- Growing support from residents throughout the community
🌱 What Comes Next
The next phase of the project focuses on completing architectural planning, preparing permit submissions, and advancing discussions with partners, regulators, and potential sponsors.
Beyond the architectural work, the project will still require funding for permit fees, regulatory approvals, site preparation, construction materials, utilities, fencing, coop infrastructure, and educational programming.
We will continue pursuing grants, sponsorships, community fundraising, and donations to help bring the project across the finish line.
At this stage, the anticipated project timeline is likely shifting toward a Spring/Summer 2027 launch. While that may be later than originally hoped, the project continues to gain momentum and community support with every passing month.
To everyone who has volunteered, attended meetings, offered expertise, shared ideas, donated, or simply followed along with the journey so far: thank you.
The Community Chicken Coop has always been about more than chickens. It is about education, local food resilience, community connections, and creating something lasting together.
🌻 Robin’s Legacy Lives On
What began as a conversation at an AGM may become a lasting tribute to a neighbour who loved her hens, cared deeply about her community, and whose story will help move this project forward for years to come.
WHMCA Urban Hen Program
🐔 Community Chicken Coop Project Update May 26th, 2026
The Winston Heights–Mountview Community Association was unfortunately not selected for funding through the ClimateReadyYYC Large Grant program this round.
While this is obviously disappointing, the project is still very much alive. In only a few months, the Community Chicken Coop initiative has grown from an idea into an organized community project with:
- An active volunteer committee
- Strong public interest and community engagement
- Partnerships with local veterinarians and agricultural suppliers
- Architectural planning underway
- Educational programming concepts already in development
- Media coverage across Calgary highlighting the project and its goals
We currently have another grant application in progress and will continue exploring funding opportunities, refining the project, and building toward a future launch. At this stage, the project timeline will likely shift toward Spring/Summer 2027.
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered, shared ideas, offered support, attended meetings, or followed along with the project journey so far. The response from the community has honestly been incredible.
WHMCA Urban Hen Program
Project Information
The Winston Heights–Mountview Community Association is planning a community-managed Urban Hen Program centred around a shared community chicken coop located at the community centre.
In addition to operating the community coop, the program will deliver:
- City-aligned Urban Hen training
- Hands-on education and resources for new and prospective hen keepers
- A by-donation, City-required training course to support participants applying for Calgary’s Urban Hen Program
This initiative is designed to meet or exceed City standards for animal welfare, biosecurity, and responsible urban livestock management, while serving as a practical education hub for the broader community.
The proposed setup includes:
- One central coop (approx. 10 ft × 10 ft)
- A fully enclosed run (approx. 40 ft × 15 ft)
- A managed flock of 12 hens to start, reviewed yearly with the city.
- No roosters
Outside the feedback form listed below, if you have a question or would like to get in touch, including media inquiries, please email chickens@winstonheights.ca
🐔 Donate $100+ and Help Name a Community Chicken
Name a Chicken! Donate $100 or more and suggest a name for one of the community chickens in the donation comments. If we receive more qualifying donations than chickens available, names will be selected through a random draw. WHMCA reserves the right to decline any names that do not align with our Code of Conduct or community standards. Selected chicken names will be announced once the coop opens.
Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Additional funds will help support the ongoing care of the hens and operation of the program, including feed, supplies, educational resources, and maintenance of the coop and run.
If the Donate button doesn’t work on mobile click here.
Supported by residents of Winston Heights and endorsed by MLA Lizette Tejada, MP Corey Hogan, and Councillor DJ Kelly.
About the Program
The Winston Heights–Mountview Community Association is launching a community-based Urban Hen Program aligned with the City of Calgary’s Urban Hen Program. The initiative promotes responsible animal care, community education, sustainability, and local food awareness, while fostering meaningful neighbourhood engagement.
The program will operate from the community centre and be supported by structured training, clear governance, and ongoing collaboration with City partners. Our goal is to establish a well-managed, educational model that supports participants, hens, and the surrounding community.
Community Support
Community involvement is the foundation of this initiative. Residents have shown strong interest not only in participating, but in helping guide the program responsibly.
Ways community members can support the program include:
- Volunteering through the Chicken Committee
- Participating in training and education sessions
- Supporting the program through donations or advocacy
All funds raised support:
- Coop and run infrastructure
- Training and educational materials
- Animal welfare and veterinary support
- Program administration and long-term sustainability
Conceptual Layout
This video illustrates the proposed size, layout, and general structure of the community chicken coop. The location shown is preliminary and not finalized. Final placement and design details are being developed in consultation with a licensed architect prior to submission of the development permit.
Get Involved
If you’re interested in supporting the Urban Hen Program or joining the Chicken Committee, please complete the feedback form we’ve created so we can keep you informed and involved.
Project Momentum
Since inception, the project has gained strong momentum:
- Interest from over 40 residents wanting to volunteer for the Chicken Committee
- Active engagement with City Planning, Legal, Parks & Forestry, and the Urban Hen Program
- Positive feedback and enthusiasm from City leadership and program directors
- Record-breaking community engagement on social media, indicating strong local interest
This program is built on transparency, education, and best practices, ensuring animal welfare and community alignment remain central at every stage.
Media Coverage
CBC Calgary Eyeopener Interview
Winston Heights–Mountview Community Chicken Coop Pilot – March 16th, 2026
Letters of Support to Local Government
Letters of support from residents, community groups, and local businesses play an important role in demonstrating broad-based backing for the Winston Heights Urban Hen Program.
We encourage community members and stakeholders to submit letters of support to local government representatives to help reinforce the value, responsibility, and community interest behind this initiative. These letters help highlight that the program is well-supported, thoughtfully planned, and aligned with community needs.
Letters may be sent to:
Or click the links below to automatically generate a draft email you can review and personalize before sending.
- Our City Councillor DJ Kelly (Ward 4)
- Our MLA Lizette Tejada
- Our Member of Parliament (MP) Corey Hogan
Key points you may wish to include:
- Your support for a community-based Urban Hen Program
- The importance of education, sustainability, and responsible animal care
- The positive impact of community-led initiatives in Winston Heights
- Any personal or professional perspective you have on why this program matters
Letters can be brief and do not need to be formal, sincere, thoughtful messages from residents and local businesses are highly effective.
Business & Community Partnerships
Local businesses play a critical role in helping this program succeed. We invite businesses to support the Urban Hen Program through financial or in-kind contributions.
Suggested Contribution Levels
🌱 Community Supporter — $100
- Business name listed on the permanent Thank You plaque at the community centre
🐣 Program Partner — $250
- Prominent placement on the Thank You plaque
- Recognition as a local program supporter
🐔 Community Champion — $500+
- Premium placement on the Thank You plaque
- Recognition as a key supporter of a City-approved, community-led initiative
(In-kind donations or professional services are welcome and recognized at equivalent levels.)
Business Recognition
All contributing businesses will:
- Be recognized on a permanent Thank You plaque displayed at the community centre
- Be acknowledged as supporters of a visible, community-driven initiative
- Help fund a high-engagement, locally supported program
Supported by residents of Winston Heights and endorsed by MLA Lizette Tejada, MP Corey Hogan, and Councillor DJ Kelly.
If the Donate button doesn’t work on mobile click here.