Calgary aims to ‘re-animate’ city spaces with $3.4 million boost

CALGARY — The Government of Canada will spend more than $3.4 million on 13 community projects in Calgary that aim to re-animate key gathering spaces and assist the city’s economic recovery following the pandemic.

Officials added the funds are anticipated to help create or maintain 74 jobs, increase accessibility to community spaces for residents and visitors, and support investment attraction and business activity.

The following projects will benefit from the funding:

• Arts Commons is receiving $200,000 for an accessibility enhancement initiative at the Arts Commons facility.
• The Beltline Neighborhoods Association is receiving $200,000 to upgrade High Park in downtown Calgary with an outdoor stage, fire pits, seating, murals and activity stations.
• The Calgary Science Centre Society is receiving $637,500 to revitalize and expand the outdoor park at Calgary’s TELUS Spark centre through the installation of an Indigenous programming gathering circle, medicine garden and science-based play areas.
• The Calgary Zoological Society is receiving $750,000 to install a bison habitat at its Calgary facility.
• The Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta is receiving $94,305 to renovate the second floor of its Life without Limits Centre in Calgary to address accessibility barriers and better accommodate the needs of its patrons.
• The City of Calgary is receiving $562,500 to help revitalize an underutilized portion of a city park by installing a bike pump track. The track will provide a safe recreation activity space for children, pre-teens, teens and adults of all riding experience levels to enjoy.
• The City of Calgary is receiving $75,000 to activate underutilized downtown parking into an accessible outdoor event site.
• The City of Calgary is receiving $75,000 to install permanent seating and shade structures at seven parks in northeast Calgary.
• The Edgemont Community Association is receiving $9,595 to build an outdoor gathering space with an information centre, picnic tables, and benches.
• The Evanston Creekside Community Association has received $200,000 for the construction of a community hub and gathering space with paved paths, a fire pit, benches, picnic tables and a winter skating rink in the Evanston neighborhood.
• The Heritage Park Society is receiving $438,750 to build a fully accessible antique railway car at Heritage Park.
• The North-East Centre of Community Society is receiving $142,500 to enhance the Genesis Centre rooftop patio and install an outdoor inclusive gathering space for the public.
• Willow Ridge Community Association of Calgary is receiving $37,695 to install benches throughout green spaces in the Willow Ridge neighborhood and upgrade an existing community garden with new accessible garden beds and fencing.