Auburn Bay Residents Association

FAQs

Please be aware that the information in this FAQ is not updated to reflect policy updates due to COVID-19. Please see our Lake Use Compliance document for information, or email [email protected] 

All About the RA

Q: Do all Auburn Bay residents currently pay a Residents Association fee?

A: Yes, all property owners in Auburn Bay have an encumbrance to the Auburn Bay Residents Association on their Certificate of Title.

Q: Who collects the Residents Association fee?

A: The Residents Association fees are collected annually by the Auburn Bay Residents Association.

Q: How often are the Residents Association fees collected?

A: Members of the Auburn Bay Residents Association are invoiced annually in March. Residents Association fees are due annually on April 1st.

Q: Where is the money collected from the Residents Association spent?

A: The Auburn Bay Residents Association (ABRA) sends audited financial statements to every member prior to the Annual General Meeting. Funds collected by the ABRA contribute to the following:

  • Auburn House operating costs, including the park, utilities, property taxes, insurance, salaries, etc.
  • Landscaping and maintenance, including Auburn House maintenance, Auburn House park landscaping, and enhanced maintenance of Auburn Bay boulevards and entryways. 
  • Programming and events, for a full list please refer to our Programs or Events pages.

    

Q: How does paying the Residents Association fee benefit Auburn Bay residents?

A: Auburn Bay residents benefit by having certain amenities and assets, such as a lake, that usually would not be provided because the City of Calgary would not normally accept responsibility for their maintenance. Auburn Bay Residents also benefit from the following:

  • Enhanced maintenance of City of Calgary medians and boulevards (certain communities that do not have a Residents Association have petitioned the City of Calgary to collect additional taxes through local improvement bylaws to fund enhanced maintenance of open space owned by the City of Calgary).
  • A full-time Programs and Events Manager and Program Coordinator, who create and manage programs and events for Auburn Bay Residents, such as our Seniors’ Drop-in, our annual Beach Party and Halloween Haunted House, summer camps, and much more!
Q: How is the Residents Association governed?

A: The Auburn Bay Residents Association is governed by both bylaws and a Board of Directors, which is comprised of Auburn Bay residents.

Q: Who elects the representatives for the Residents Association and when does that occur?

A: Members of the association elect their Board of Directors annually at the Annual General Meeting.

Q: Are Auburn Bay residents able to guide the Residents Association in important matters?

A: The roles of the Residents Association are limited to matters affecting the operation of the association. Residents can guide the direction of the Residents Association by electing or defeating any Member in standing for a Residents Association Directorship.  

Fun Community Facts

Q: What is the size of Auburn Bay community?

A: Auburn Bay is 900 acres and will eventually be home to 22,000 residents.

Q: What is the size of the lake?

A: The lake is 43 acres.

Q: What is the size of the park?

A: The park is 13 acres.  

Membership Cards

Q: Why do I need a membership card?

A: The Auburn Bay Residents Association requires that all residents over the age of 12 present their card for entry into the park or facility.

Q: Do I need to bring my ABRA membership card each time I come to Auburn House?

A: Yes! The Auburn Bay Residents Association requires that all residents over the age of 12 present their card for entry into the park or facility.

Q: How do I get my membership card?

A: You must be a Member In Good Standing with the Auburn Bay Residents Association (ABRA) before you will be issued a membership card. The ABRA must see the property’s Certificate of Title before you will be issued a membership card.   Responsive image  

  • If you are a homeowner, follow these steps to obtain your ABRA membership card:
  1. Locate the property’s Certificate of Title and a piece of government issued photo I.D. with the property address on it.
  2. Visit Auburn House during Park Hours (Monday-Sunday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.) with your Certificate of Title and government issued photo I.D. with the Auburn Bay address on it to have your photo taken and to have a membership card issued.

 

  • If you are a tenant, follow these steps to obtain your ABRA membership card:
  1. Ensure that your Landlord has filled out and submitted a Transfer of Privileges form and has shown Auburn House his/her Certificate of Title.
  2. Update your Driver’s License to reflect the Auburn Bay address.
  3. Locate your Lease Agreement.
  4. Visit Auburn House during Park Hours (Monday-Sunday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.) with your Certificate of Title and government issued photo I.D. with the Auburn Bay address on it to have your photo taken and to have a membership card issued.

   

Q: What is a Certificate of Title?

A: A Certificate of Title is a document that your lawyer issues you when you purchase a home. The Certificate of Title states who the registered owner of the property is and shows any encumbrances. These are public documents available for a small fee from a registry office or at Auburn House.

Q: What if I lose my Membership Card?

A: Membership cards are eligible to be renewed every three (3) years free of charge, at the member’s request. If a membership card is lost, residents will be charged a $10.00 fee for replacement. Children under 12 will not be issued cards and they are only allowed to use the facilities when accompanied by an adult.     

All About Auburn House, the Lake and the Park

Q: What are the Auburn House and Park hours of operation?

A: Monday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.* During park hours, you can visit the office to:

  • sign in to the park, lake, or gym (during Open Gym Drop-In).
  • book picnic shelters.
  • confirm availability for room bookings.
  • get membership cards.
  • drop off forms.
  • pay fees or invoices.**

*Hours are subject to change during extreme weather conditions. **Please note: Auburn House will not accept large cash payments outside of administrative hours.

Q: What are the administration hours of operation?

A: Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.* During administration hours, you can visit the office to:

  • book a room.
  • create a fee payment plan.
  • provide your Certificate of Title or Certificate of Possession to be added into our system (new homeowners).
  • pay an invoice with cash.

*Please note: the administration office is closed on all Statutory Holidays.

Q: Can I bring guest(s) into the park?

A: Yes!

  • Adult members are permitted up to five (5) non-resident guests per household.
  • Members’ children, 12-15 years of age entering the park without an adult, are permitted two (2) guests per household with parental permission.
  • If you are having a gathering of more people, a Park Guest List must be completed and returned to the Auburn House staff at least 48 hours prior to your event for approval (max. 25 guests). Auburn House accepts a maximum of five (5) Park Guest Lists per day during the summer, on a first-come, first-served basis. The Auburn Bay Residents Association has the right to decline any large group. Please refer to the Auburn House Guest Rules for our full Guest Policy.
  • Members MUST remain with their guest(s) while in the park/facility at all times.
Q: Are dogs permitted in Auburn House or Park?

A: No. Dogs or domestic animals of any type are not permitted in Auburn House or Park (with the exception of service/guide dogs).

Q: Is alcohol and/or smoking permitted in Auburn House or the Park?

A: No. Alcohol, smoking, and vaping are not permitted in the Park.

  • Smoking and/or vaping are not permitted in Auburn House.
  • Alcohol is only permitted in Auburn House during rentals when the renter has provided proof of Party Alcohol Liability (PAL) Insurance and a liquor license is posted in the kitchen.
Q: Can I fish in the Lake?

A: Yes! Fishing is permitted from the fishing dock and boats only. While fishing your membership card must be left with the Auburn House staff. Use of live bait or food of any type while fishing is prohibited. Please refer to the Auburn House Fishing Rules for our full Fishing Policy.

Q: Can I take home fish that I catch?

A: You can take home up to two (2) fish per day (per member) and twelve (12) fish per month (per household). The lake is stocked bi-annually with Rainbow Trout. Please refer to the Auburn House Fishing Rules for our full Fishing Policy.

Q: Are there boats I can use?

A: Residents aged sixteen (16) and up can sign out a boat or a stand up paddleboard (SUP) with their membership card. Boats have a two (2) hour time limit. SUPs have a forty-five (45) minute time limit. One membership card is required for each boat/SUP. Life jackets MUST be worn at all times while in a boat and/or paddleboard. Please refer to the Auburn House Boat and Stand Up Paddle Board Rules for our full Boating Policy.

Q: Can I rent a picnic shelter?
  • Yes! All of our picnic shelters are available to be rented. There is a minimum rental time of two (2) hours and a maximum rental time of three (3) hours.
Q: It seems like the lake is getting busier. What is the Auburn Bay Residents Association (ABRA) management doing to prevent overcrowding?

A: When the community of Auburn Bay was planned, the lake was built to accommodate the full capacity of residents at build out, which is 6,600 homes. 

  • In 2016, the ABRA Board of Directors evaluated the Guest Policies and made changes to reduce the number of guest(s) in the Park in an effort to improve the overall experience for residents.
  • In 2018, the ABRA Board of Directors and Management conducted a membership audit to ensure that everyone using the lake facility actually resides in Auburn Bay.
Q: With more residents in the community, the lines are getting longer. What is the Auburn Bay Residents Association (ABRA) management doing to improve the flow of traffic?

A: In May 2016, the ABRA developed a secondary entrance to the Park called The Gatehouse. The Gatehouse will open May Long Weekend each year and stay open on the weekends in May and June. The Gatehouse will be open full-time in July and August.  

Programs & Special Events

Q: Does Auburn House offer any programs?

A: Yes! There are a number of drop-in and registered programs for children, adults, and families. See the current Auburn House Program Guide for more information. Auburn House also offers a number of special events each year, including:

  • 3 on 3 Hockey Tournament
  • Easter Eggstravaganza
  • Beach Party
  • Movie Under the Stars
  • Halloween Haunted House
  • Family Christmas Party
  • and more!

View our current Calendar of Community Events

Q: What if I need to withdrawal from a program that I registered in?

A: Our program withdrawal and cancellation guidelines are outlined in our Programs menu.

Q: How often are new programs offered?

A: New programs are offered on a seasonal basis, with registration available up to one month prior to classes starting.

  • Summer classes generally start in June.
  • Fall classes begin in September.
  • Winter classes begin in December.
  • Spring classes begin in March.
Q: Why are there different registration times?

A: The Auburn Bay Residents Association allows residents an opportunity to register early for their favourite programs.