Yes, It's Still Winter - But We Knew That, Didn't We?

Posted: 25.02.2026

Happy February, almost March, everyone. We’re a bit behind on the Update this month as Family Day pushed our monthly meeting back and your HOA Board has been busy pursuing our various tasks. Let’s take a look at what we have been working on and upcoming events.

Money In the Bank

Last month we had the pleasure of announcing our Provincial CFEP Grant Request was successful. We have signed the necessary paperwork, received and deposited the cheque, and with last year’s Wheatland County grant, have a healthy $430,000 to augment our own Recreation-Greenspace reserves.

Recreation and Greenspace Amenities Progress

We have contracted an engineering firm to conduct the necessary studies and compile the reports to submit our Development Permit for the entire project. That’s step one of starting the work on the Lyalta Community Centre grounds. They have already been onsite taking GPS readings, and we are pushing them to complete that paperwork so Council can review and approve at their next meeting in early March. The standard 30-day public consultation period follows, and barring unforeseen opposition, final approval will open the way for Wheatland County Operation Crews to start on the east driveway, new carpark and soccer field, hopefully in May.

Step Two: we are expecting final quotes this week to build our court maintenance building and sport court/ice rink. That build is scheduled to start after the County completes the work on the east driveway and parking lot. Once quotes are in, our sub-committee will go over them carefully before presenting their recommendation on the successful quote for the Board to discuss and vote on.

Stay tuned for further updates as they are available.

Dog Owners - Please Be Considerate

It has been our experience that most of the dog owners in our community are responsible and clean up after their dogs when they go for a walk. There are a few, unfortunately who are not that considerate. We have received complaints that the occasional doggy deposit has not been properly dispatched by their owners on sidewalks, (or just off), on the golf course, and even on the walking path along the canal. While there are a few foxes in the neighborhood, and coyotes wander through and both drop their scat with nary a glance at the dog refuse stations located throughout the community, there is still evidence of more domestic doggy droppings than wild ones.

There is even one person who goes to the trouble of bagging it but not bothering to put it in the provided refuse containers. They’ve been dropping it on the walking path! Shame on them.

And as we mentioned last month, with our bipolar weather hitting us with mercury changes from day to day that mirror the lines on a crooked politician’s lie detector test, dog owners, please think of your neighbors and give your backyards a scout with a garbage bag and a shovel when bare earth makes an appearance, please. It’ll be less to do when the snow finally skedaddles, and your neighbors will really appreciate it.

And About That Canal...

Yes, we know the garbage has collected along the W.I.D. and its very noticeable when the snow melts. We have engaged with County Peace Officers to speak to the builders who allow their bins to overflow.

Wheatland County always provides clean-up in the Spring, but we have indicated if the snow keeps at near thaw levels, we may not be able to wait that long. Stay tuned for updates on this issue as we pursue it further

Upcoming Events at The Lyalta Community Centre and Lakes of Muirfield

On to more pleasant news, some great events are scheduled as Winter waves it’s weary bye-bye. Mark these dates on your calendar. You won’t want to miss them:

March 21st – Pub Night at the LCC – come on down and quaff a pint or two with friends and neighbours.

April 18th – 80’s Night at the LCC – Come on out and relive the era of Big hair, Glam Rock, Techno-pop, New Wave and more… what a decade!

May 9th – Parade of Garage Sales – Lakes of Muirfield- Spring Market – LCC – make a few bucks selling off those items you received at a decade’s worth of Secret Santa Xmas parties and go spend all the proceeds over at the LCC. What a concept!

May 23rd – Lakes of Muirfield Community Clean-up – here’s your chance to dispose of all the household junk you’ve accumulated over the last year. Come out, grab a bag, and help clean up the community first, have a hotdog and a pop on the Rec Society, then dump your broken furniture, garden waste, old carpets, and other unwanted stuff that is taking up space in your garage or sheds.

That’s it for this month, folks. Hang in there, Spring is just around the corner! Stay safe and we’ll catch you next month

GALLERY