The City of Calgary has introduced GamePLAN: Reimagining Public Recreation, a comprehensive strategy designed to transform the delivery of public recreation services over the next 25 years. This initiative aims to create inclusive, accessible, and sustainable recreational opportunities for all Calgarians, as our population continues to grow.

Calgary’s public recreation system is at a crossroads. Without investment, the system will degrade. facilities will close, and service levels will decline.

How Did We Get Here?

Investments in public recreation have not kept pace with population growth and diversification.
Demand for activities, amenities, programs and services has changed.
Accessibility standards are evolving with limited capacity to implement change at existing facilities.
While barriers to participation have always existed, new barriers are emerging and becoming more prevalent.

GamePLAN recognizes expectations for the public recreation system are changing. It establishes a set of principles to guide service planning decisions now and in the future. These principles prioritize building strong, complete communities, and delivering quality services and programs that people care about.

Guiding Principles

The primary goal of GamePLAN is to increase access to and participation in public recreation so more people can experience the benefits these opportunities provide. We can do this by implementing the following guiding priciples:

Level the Playing Field: Strive to eliminate barriers to participation, especially for children and youth.
It Takes a Team: Utilize a network of service providers, programmers, facilities, and amenities to uphold Calgary’s reputation as one of the most livable cities globally.
Change the Game: Challenge traditional definitions of recreation and encourage innovative perspectives on the role of public recreation in civic life.

The suggestions outlined in GamePLAN will help strategically shape a vibrant and inclusive recreational future for Calgary.

Service Level Scenarios

Service level scenarios have been developed to allow Council to select a service level for Calgary for the next 25 years. The service level scenarios below show what people living in Calgary will experience in terms of facility access and program availability based on different levels of investment.

Next Steps:

GamePLAN will be presented to the Community Development Committee (CDC) for deliberation on February 6, 2025, followed by a Council decision on February 25, 2025. Members of the public wishing to share their thoughts on GamePLAN are invited speak at the CDC meeting on February 6.

These decisions will establish service levels for the key amenities such as aquatics and fitness, arenas, athletic parks, and fieldhouses, informing implementation and capital project prioritization to guide public recreation services in Calgary for the next 25 years. The outcomes will also influence future budget cycles, starting in 2026.

Have Your Say:

Community involvement is crucial for the success of GamePLAN. Residents are encouraged to participate by sharing their perspectives and supporting the initiative. One way to do this is by attending the CDC meeting on February 6, 2025, to share your thoughts and express your support.

To learn more about how you can participate in the Communitee Development Committee meeting, please visit gccarra.ca/participate-in-city-council.

For more detailed information about GamePLAN, visit calgary.ca/gameplan or view the full GamePLAN document HERE

Learn more