West Hillhurst named Calgary’s ‘most neighbourly’ community in recent contest

It’s official: West Hillhurst was chosen as the most neighbourly community in the city.

At least according to a recent contest with Rümi.ca, powered by ATCOenergy, which encouraged Albertans to nominate their neighbourhood through stories of good deeds from the people in their community.

West Hillhurst not only received the most votes in the city but also in the province, according to Sarah Francis, vice president of people, culture and customer engagement at Rümi.

“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. People from across the province went out of their way to share heartwarming and memorable stories about their neighbours,” she says, adding there were over 600 submissions. 

“The winner of the contest was based on the number of submissions for their community. We are thrilled to share that West Hillhurst had the most submissions of all communities in the province.”

Not just West Hillhurst 

West Hillhurst may have prevailed as the winner but almost every community in Calgary had been nominated. Runners-up in Calgary included Wildwood, Sage Hill, and Nolan Hill. 

Many smaller towns and cities also saw nominations including Airdrie and Longview. 

Francis says it was a privilege to read submissions from all communities. 

“We loved seeing small towns and communities rally together. We noticed that many of the runners-up had equally heartwarming stories of good deeds and are truly inspired by the kindness, compassion, and generosity of Albertans.”

Good deeds by good neighbours 

The purpose of this contest was to celebrate the people who make the city’s communities a wonderful place to live, work, and play in, says ATCO chief digital officer and Rümi president, Marshall Wilmott. 

One West Hillhurst resident wrote, “Several strangers offered to help us when we were moving in, and in the winter we so appreciate the neighbours who volunteer in the freezing cold to regularly maintain the outdoor ice rinks.” 

“After reading some of the nominations and seeing how many communities this contest reached, I am amazed by Albertans’ kindness, perseverance and dedication to making their neighbourhoods great,” Willmott adds. 

Francis says some other stories stood out, including from Meghan who nominated Mike, who has taken on sole responsibility for flooding the community’s 2nd Avenue park ice rink. 

“It’s quite a big space and has so many excited kiddos on it all winter long. Mike has always made sure to put on a fresh coat and keep the kids active in all temperatures. This past winter he also advocated for a community fire pit and then, of course, set it all up himself.”

 It’s party time 

To reward the community for its neighbourliness, Rümi, a member of the ATCO family of brands, is providing the community with an ultimate block party for 250 guests. 

The Saturday, Sept. 3 afternoon party invites community residents to an inclusive community event featuring live music, games and food later this summer. 

The block party will have plenty of entertainment and fun for the family, including Butterfield Acres’ Farm Corral, which comes out with a mix of frisky little goats, wooly lambs, adorable bunnies, a piglet or two, and a pen of chicks.

“We will also have a variety of carnival and lawn games, including nine hole mini-putt, a strongman striker, a spin-the-wheel prize wheel and more,” Francis says, adding there will also be live music and signature snacks provided by the Blue Flame Kitchen.