Edmonton Federation Of Community Leagues
Canadas oldest and strongest flourishing community leagues are found in Edmonton. Since its
inception as an umbrella organization in 1921, the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues has grown from a single
league in 1917 (Crestwood, formerly the 142nd Street District) to 147 throughout the city.
All of the leagues are volunteer organizations, and while their profile is in the realm of
recreationskating rinks, community halls and sports fields are among the better-known league-managed
commoditiesthat has been but one focus of the organizations. Neighbourhood Watch, School Patrols and the
Community Police Radio Network are all initiatives that began at community league level. According to Ron Kuban,
author of the 2005 history of community leagues, Edmontons Urban Villages: The Community League Movement,
this may be one reason behind the longevity of the leagues in Edmonton and throughout Canada.
Edmonton did not adopt a carbon copy of the American Centre Club concept, which Kuban writes
had "evolved to a more politically focused and socialistic form. For Edmonton, however, the movement became a unique
approach to citizen participation in community affairs. Unlike the City Club movement, Edmontons community leagues
stood the test of time."
The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues website is found at
www.efcl.org.
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