Summer Village of Waiparous Contact Information
587-574-0744
PO BOX 806, COCHRANE, AB, T4C 1B8
Next Meeting of the Summer Village of Waiparous Council
Organizational Meeting of Council
Saturday, July 18 at 9:30am
Location – Waiparous Community Building, Summer Village of Waiparous
If you would like to formally address Council on a specific item, please email Administration at admin@waiparous.ca at least one week prior to the regular meeting explaining the item you wish to discuss in order to be placed on the agenda.
Important Dates:
July 18 at 10:00am – SVW Community Meeting & Annual Picnic at the SVW Picnic Grounds
July 25 – Wood Chipping Day
August 8 – SVW Bench Maintenance Day
September 26 – GWTA Fall Work Bee
SVW Community Meeting & Annual Picnic
The Community Meeting will start at 10:00am at the Picnic Grounds followed by the Picnic. We will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Summer Village of Waiparous being Incorporated! Please reach out to past residents you are still in contact with and invite them to our celebration! Are you interested in sharing stories of the Village history or showing your memorabilia and photos? There will be a table set up at the picnic for people to display photos and memorabilia from years gone by and if you would like an opportunity to share a story or two please let me know. There will be a prize draw at the picnic this year. If you have anything you would like to donate for the prize, please email Gwen at gwenmoncayo@yahoo.com. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
GWTA – Back 40 Trail Cameras
This year the GWTA received a grant from the MD of Bighorn to install three wildlife trail cameras in the Back 40, to help learn more about the animals that live in and travel through the trail system. The first video footage is now available for viewing!
Check it out at https://youtu.be/U6xmsJGaGGo
It’s a good reminder that we share our trails with all kinds of wildlife. When hiking in the Back 40, please make sure you are following good bear (and other wildlife) awareness practices: carry bearspray, keep dogs on a leash, and travel in groups.
They plan to share links to video compilations with residents at least two or three times a year
Highway 40 Bridge
Notices have been placed at trail entrances to inform trail users that wildlife cameras are in the area
Any video footage containing people will be deleted
UPDATE May 28, 2026
All work has been completed on the temporary bridge and all weight restrictions have returned to normal.
| Current | |
| single unit trucks | 19 t |
| semi-trailer trucks | 33 t |
| truck trains | 47 t |
The current schedule for the construction of a new bridge is to have the design completed and tenders out in the fall of 2026 with construction to begin spring of 2027. This is the current plan but until the work is tendered, a construction timeline of 2027 can not be committed to. It is anticipated a Public House will be held in the summer of 2026 for the new bridge project.
Community Building Project
The construction fence is up and things have started on the construction of the new storage building!! Once the new building is completed work will start on the renovations to the existing building. It is anticipated to be complete by mid December.
Waiparous Community Association
For many years, our Village had an active Community Association. In addition to our annual summer picnic, the Association organized other events and activities throughout the year, helping to bring the community together and foster a sense of belonging. Eventually the association disbanded, although the annual picnic continued thanks to dedicated volunteers.
Now, we are pleased to announce that the Waiparous Communality Association (WCA) is making a comeback! Why now? Exciting changes coming to the Community Building will make it much more accessible and usable for social gatherings and events. Also, as more and more residents are living in Waiparous full time or spending more time here, a revived WCA creates additional opportunities for us to connect and strengthen our special community.
Our enthusiastic team of volunteers are: Iona Parsons (President), Laura Newcombe (Vice President), Sandra Barker (Treasurer), Libby Graham (Secretary), Cheryl Wauthier (Director and Liaison to the Village Council), Gwen Moncayo, and Jodie Grisdale (Directors), and Suzanne Gaida (Village Chief Administrative Officer and general support).
We are still in the process of being registered as a non-profit organization while we continue important background preparation work. In the meantime, fun and inspiring ideas for community‑strengthening events are taking shape, and we look forward to hearing from residents as spring and summer unfold. While the Take It or Leave It event will be deferred until warmer weather and the completion of the Community Building, this time allows us to plan thoughtfully and build momentum for vibrant and engaging times ahead.
Waiparous Community Association
2026 Federal Census
Statistics Canada has contacted the Village and asked that we let everyone know they are looking for local census workers for the 2026 Census. Join the census team and help collect the information that shapes programs and services people rely on every day.
Census jobs offer flexible, short-term employment and the chance to contribute to data collection activities. Census information is used to plan programs and services that support employment, education, public transportation and health care.
If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity visit census.gc.ca/jobs.
Ghost-Kananaskis Sub-Regional Plan
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas is inviting Albertans to share their input as we begin developing the Ghost-Kananaskis Sub-regional Plan. Phase 1 engagement is now open. They are looking for feedback on the draft vision and outcomes that will guide future land management decisions and support sustainable recreation, tourism, and traditional land uses in the Ghost-Kananaskis area. The survey also includes an interactive mapping tool to identify how you use and visit the region. Your perspectives will help shape the draft plan.
Visit the website to learn more and participate in the survey: alberta.ca/ghost-kananaskis-sub-regional-plan-engagement
EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy Trail Camera Review
John E. Marriott and the Exposed Wildlife Conservancy team presented and reviewed the best trail camera footage captured from Exposed’s Cougar Coexistence Trail Camera pilot project in Waiparous and the Back 40 from January 2023-December 2024.
Waiparous in the news!