The City of Calgary has been the fastest growing city in Canada for the last two years, drawing estimates of 90,000 people to the city, primarily from more expensive cities in Ontario and BC.
As a result, community-based amenities, such as wading pools, splash pads, and recreation centres in established communities have seen an increase in users and many facilities are facing deteriorating conditions, Calgary city council’s executive committee heard on Tuesday.
A notice of motion tabled by Mayor Jyoti Gondek said, “15% of city assets are in poor or critical condition because the Facilities Management Annual Investment Program (AIP) is currently underfunded and unable to keep pace with the upkeep of aging community-based facilities that are in urgent need of upgrades.”
Additionally, the motion said, “financial hardship for many families means they are increasingly reliant on facilities and community spaces near their homes for recreation and programming.”
Council recently increased the Capital Conservation Grant program by $15 million, which will “address major lifecycle projects for community-based facilities provided by community associations, but there is a need for increased grants to fill growing gaps in funding,” said the mayor’s motion.
Grants to the Federation of Calgary Communities (FCC) contribute to individual community associations being able to supply seating, lighting, murals and programming support, such as mentorships, education, workshops and resources, but the bank balances are getting low.
Enter the ENMAX Legacy Parks Program (ELPP), which has been instrumental in “acquisition, maintenance and development of beloved regional parks enjoyed by Calgarians from across the city,” reads the motion.
The ELPP is a capital funding initiative to which council directs a portion of the annual ENMAX dividend to the city’s parks department.
On Tuesday, council’s executive committee heard the 2025 budgeted amount for the ENMAX dividend was $57 million and ENMAX has declared a $103 million dividend for 2024, resulting in a $46 million excess to budget.
The City of Calgary is the sole shareholder of ENMAX and the 2024 dividend should be “responsibly invested in community-based amenities for the long-term benefit of Calgarians.” read the motion, which asked council to direct city administration to invest $20 million from the dividend towards the Facilities Management - AIP “to support the urgent maintenance and upgrading of community spaces and amenities, including wading pools, splash pads and recreation centres.”
In addition, administration was directed to collaborate with the FCC to invest $2.85 million “towards the planning, development, and expansion of innovative FCC placemaking programs and funding supports, with the goal of enabling more community-led projects in the next three years, including but not limited to creating and/or maintaining seating, shade structures, murals, gazebos and gardens,” as well as invest $23.15 million in the ELPF.
Administration will report to the full city council at the end of April, when council will debate its recommendations.
