Here is a summary of the content provided, organized into six paragraphs:
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The Calgary City Council has approved the “GamePlans” 25-year recreation development plan, which aims to address declining facilities and investment needs in the city’s recreation system. The plan, introduced through a vote of 6-0 by the Stockton committee, is supported by members of the council and Wallacecott, who emphasized that the benefits of a robust recreation landscape, such as improved mental health outcomes, outweigh the high costs.
The committee also considered funding options ranging from “Going under” to “Making waves,” with the “making waves” option being the approved choice. This funding model is designed to keep pace with population growth and ensure equitable service delivery, aiming to restore neglected facilities and improve facilities that have been neglected over time.
One of the significant challenges faced by the recreation system is the decline in space for swimming lessons and limited facilities for sports like soccer. Heather Johnson, director of recreation for the City of Calgary, argues that many recreation facilities in the city are outdated, built more than 35 years ago, and have become costly to maintain. She highlights that a significant portion of the city’s recreation facilities are no longer usable, highlighting the need for prioritization of necessary facilities to support recreation and sports activities.
The committee’s vote was well-received, with Wallacecott expressing excitement that the plan has received widespread support. Johnson, with a background in history, explained that more facilities are needed because the city’s system has struggled to meet the growing needs of its community. She emphasized that this is not an “instant fix” and that the city must prioritize future investments to ensure a sustainable and accessible recreation system.
The city council, following the vote, has marked the beginning of the process for prioritizing revival efforts. This phase will take place at a full council meeting and focus on identifying key projects to revitalize for the future. The full plan will not be ready until the spring of 2026, giving the city until then to develop a priority list of initiatives and allocate resources effectively.
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This summary provides a concise overview of the Calgary City Council’s decision to approved the “GamePlans” and highlights the challenges and goals of the proposed recreation system.
