The south east community of Kenilworth joined the City of Edmonton
in 1961 and formed its Community League in 1964, when it was incorporated as a society under the Societies Act.
At first only a skating rink was built to accommodate hockey practices.
In 1966, $29,000 was spent to build a community hall in a unique
hexagonal shape, later coined "The Web".
The year 1966 also saw a petition to amend the Kenilworth-Ottewell boundary from 90th Avenue to 92A Avenue,
between 75 Street and Ottewell Rd. This was opposed on various grounds, but was eventually approved in 1969. In
1970, the residents in the amended boundary petitioned to join Kenilworth but was strongly opposed by Ottewell Community League
and the matter was dropped. These boundaries have remained the same since and was reconfirmed by both leagues
in 1994.
In the late 1970's a $45,000 renovation plan was implemented, culminating in a flag-raising ceremony in
1978. Improvements included repairs to the roof, painting of the hall, a new kitchen, a full size hockey rink, a paved
parking lot and landscaped grounds.
On November 4, 1989, Kenilworth celebrated it's 25th anniversary as a Community League.
The years 1990-1991 saw major renovations to the hall. Of the projected $250,000, approximately half
was funded by government grants and the other half raised by Kenilworth through Bingos and Casinos. The hall was expanded
on several sides in order to enlarge each area within the hall. More windows were installed to brighten the interior
and the hall was given a more modern look.
Bike racks were added to the grounds in 1991, as well as sidewalks around the major exterior of the
hall.
More redevelopment of the skate change room/concession area occured in 1994.
In 1996, KCL financed the upgrade and realignment of the soccer and baseball fields to eliminate overlap,
in return for an agreement with the City of Edmonton that KCL have sole booking of the fields until July of each year.
Benches were installed near the parking lot to overlook the soccer field and picnic tables were installed in the playground
and between Waverley Elementary and the Kenilworth fields.
On July 4, 1998, disasterous vandalism strikes! The Kenilworth Hall suffered irreperable damage caused
by senseless vandalism to the natural gas valve for the BBQ. The roof lifted, the west wall of windows fell
out, the interior block walls blew outward and the west section of the roof collapsed due to lack of support.
Extensive fire, smoke and water damage was incurred. As a result, the hall was a write-off and was completely
demolished later that summer. The "Web" was history.
Community spirit prevailed and plans for a new hall began. Preparations for the Annual Family Picnic
continued and the Summer Playground program ran in the Green Shack. Fall programs and hall rentals relocated and meetings
were held in schools, churches and other community leagues.
Insurance money, KCL funds, grants, fundraising and donations combined to finance the new hall. Construction
started in April of 1999. The "Donate a Brick" fundraiser was a great success, resulting in over $18,000 in purchased
"bricks", from $10 Baby Bricks to $5,000 Platinum bricks. The generosity of people, businesses, churches and communities
was heartening.
From the beginning the goal of Kenilworth Community League has to promote the spirit of community, to promote
sportsmanship among all participants, to encourage participation by all in sports activities and to encourage the creative
talents of it's residents, to promote opportunities for social contact and to promote among all citizens a sense of belonging to
the community. It has been the philosophy of the KCL that, regardless of financial ability, all members have the opportunity
to participate. In order to achieve this goal, Kenilworth has offered it's members a variety of programs and events
over the years (babysitting courses, badminton, BBQ's, basketball, bicycle safety, bowling nights, community swim, crafts,
crib, dance, feng-shui, Girls Zone, golf, Halloween parties, picnics, pilates, playschool, potlucks, self-defense, skating,
sleigh rides, soccer, softball, summer playground programs, talent shows, volunteer appreciation dinners, and voyageur
canoeing).
* Kenilworth Community League By-Laws, 1979
