More Calgarians than ever are looking for a place to belong, and too many can't find one. As our city grows, access to something as fundamental as a nearby recreation centre is quietly slipping out of reach. And that matters more than most people think.
At the YMCA, I see how access to recreation literally changes lives. More than “just a gym,” recreation centres are spaces where children and adults learn to skate and swim, youth build confidence, make friends and find their first job, older adults stay connected in retirement, volunteers give back, and newcomers find community.
There’s also a growing body of evidence supporting what we see firsthand — communities with recreational amenities are healthier and happier. As Calgary’s population has surged and recreation facilities per capita have declined, we’ve seen parallel rises in loneliness, mental-health issues and physical inactivity.
Today, 79 per cent of youth aged 12 to 17 and approximately half of adults and children do not meet national physical activity recommendations (Statistics Canada). At the same time, one in five Calgarians report feeling always or often lonely and don’t feel a sense of belonging (Calgary Foundation). The reason is simple — when a recreation facility isn’t close by, people don’t go.
The effects go far beyond individual health. Physical inactivity alone costs Canada’s health-care system an estimated $3.9 billion annually (ParticipAction). Investing in recreation isn’t just good for people, it’s smart economics.
For every recreation centre comparable in size to the Remington YMCA in Quarry Park, Alberta taxpayers save nearly $6 million each year in health-care costs, while contributing an estimated $3.7 million annually to GDP. These facilities also create hundreds of jobs and foster volunteerism that helps youth, newcomers and those re-entering the workforce to build skills and gain experience.
Recreation centres, libraries and other “third spaces” are also critical upstream investments in public health and safety. They provide safe spaces for teens to gather, programs for at-risk youth, and partnerships with social agencies and schools that strengthen the fabric of our communities.
Through a long-standing partnership with the City of Calgary, Calgary Public Library and YMCA operate some of the most vibrant, inclusive joint recreation and library facilities in the country. Delivering recreation through charities with specialized expertise stretches public dollars further by leveraging experience, philanthropy, sponsorship, and volunteerism that governments cannot access alone, while allowing municipalities to focus public investment and operating subsidies in communities where they are needed most.
There is a strong momentum for these kinds of partnerships, including growing interest from the private sector. In West Calgary, the proposed West District YMCA and library is nearly shovel-ready. It would bring much-needed recreation and library space to a fast-growing part of the city decades ahead of current timelines, and at a lower cost to Calgary taxpayers. But it won’t move forward without funding support from all levels of government.
As Calgary continues to grow, we face a choice — fall further behind or invest in the spaces that help people connect. Recreation isn’t a luxury. It’s essential infrastructure for a healthy, resilient city. We’re ready, and your support can make it a reality.
Learn more about the proposed West District YMCA and library and how you can support public investment in recreation at ymcacalgary.org/westdistrict.
Shannon Doram is the president and CEO of YMCA Calgary.
