Calgary City Council took a steep step in “reimaging” the city’s public recreation from its GamePLAN document that will cost upwards of $6.25 billion over a 25-year period.
The document, from city administration, gave council three choices to consider in going forward with recreational facilities: ‘Going Under’ which offered a minimal amount of facility development, at a potential cost of $750,000,000 over 25 years; ‘Staying Afloat, a medium level of facility development that could reach $3.75 billion over the same time frame, and; ‘Making Waves’ with the most concentrated level of development, with a price tag of $6.25 billion over 25 years.
“GamePLAN, a city-wide vision and strategic framework, addresses challenges for the public recreation system posed by Calgary's aging recreation facilities, rising operational costs and growing population,” said a statement from the city. “With most of Calgary’s public recreation facilities being over 35 years old, the need for sustainable investment has never been more critical.”
During council’s debate on which option to choose, Ward 11 Cllr. Kourtney Penner said her fellow councillors should consider “who do we want to be in the future? Today, we’re small-minded and not looking into the future (by not choosing the Making Waves option). Calgarians want a higher level of services.”
Ward 1 Cllr. Sonya Sharp said a detailed budget would have helped with the decision-making process, adding “we have spent millions of dollars on things Calgarians didn’t want, but (the city) is behind and GamePLAN is a good idea (to catchup).”
Andre Chabot put forward a motion to choose the Staying Afloat option, but after debate, it was defeated.
In the end, the vote was 12-2, in favour of the Making Waves option, with councillors Chu and Chabot against.
City administration said GamePLAN is a “cost recovery” model, with taxpayer support as well as user fees, to which Ward 13 Cllr. Dan McLean said the city should actively pursue the private sector with sponsorship opportunities to add to revenues.
With the approval, administration is in the position of moving forward on its plans for GamePLAN, which, according to the document, includes:
“A: Provide all staff with foundational training in equity, diversity, inclusion, cultural sensitivity and anti-racism, reconciliation and trauma informed practices;”
“B: Revise booking allocation framework to advance fairness in accessing spaces (for example, bookings/registrations reserved for equity-denied groups, reviewing and amending booking guidelines including historical right, etc.;”
“C: As stewards of the public recreation system and in consultation with senior partners, The City will incorporate EDIB (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging) considerations into operational practices, program design and processes for accessing programs and spaces.”
"Today's decision by council is a commitment to improving quality of life for all Calgarians," said Cllr. Jennifer Mian, in the city’s statement. "By adopting the Making Waves scenario, we will not only catch up from years of underinvestment, but we will also ensure our public recreation system remains sustainable, inclusive and effective for the next 25 years and beyond."
The Making Waves scenario aims to meet the needs of Calgary's rapidly growing population by renewing and expanding public recreation services, said Heather Johnson, director of recreation & social programs in the statement.
“It will increase the availability of swimming lessons by 40 percent per capita, bookable hours at ice sheets by 25 percent, bookable hours at indoor fields by 2.5 times and ensure that 86 percent of Calgarians live within five kilometres of an aquatic facility.”
“GamePLAN focuses on four amenity types: aquatics and fitness, arenas, athletic parks and indoor fields, known as fieldhouses,” said the city’s statement. “The initiative will guide service decisions, inform policy, strengthen partnerships and introduce innovative approaches to improve access and outcomes for the community.”
