Cypress County looks to improve relations with local community associations

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on April 9, 2026.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

Cypress County took a long look at the world of community associations in a recent council meeting, and how it could work to better support these vital champions of rural connection.

Out of all the associations invited to offer feedback, 15 of 22 chose to participate, says recreation and community association co-ordinator Jody Phillips. The county was seeking an unfiltered opinion on the state of associations and their relationship with the county, in order to obtain accurate and candid feedback.

Major concerns voiced included a decline in volunteers and community involvement, as well as a desire for better communication from the county, with 47 per cent of associations noting the latter as something they felt the county was not providing.

Participants described mixed perceptions of their relationship with the county, with some stating they felt a good rapport and others referring to it as limited or “non-existent.”

The groups largely perceived operational funding and capital funding, as well as public works related or value-added services, as supports already received from the county.

“What I’d like to highlight here is that an often expressed perception is that the community organizations just want money from the county. While increased funding is on the list, it is not the most important thing to the groups,” said Philips.

Other ideas presented included a desire for a central online booking system for halls and amenities, or a return of the annual bus tour which facilitated inter-association communication.

In regards to buildings, Phillips said many associations were unaware they were solely responsible for maintenance, viewing themselves more as renters.

However, simultaneously, 100 per cent of participants reported taking on upgrades or repairs that the county was not aware of, demonstrating dedication to their work and facilities.

“There is confusion in the groups about who is responsible for what. That is absolutely clear,” said Phillips. “This is just the reality of what has happened over many years, and it’s going to require open communication and clear procedures to get things back on track.”

While the presentation was intended for information, it raised several points for council to consider in the near future, such as the role of county staff in building maintenance and how to best improve these relationships. More information on the next steps are promised in a future presentation in the near future.

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