Flames Foundation, Rotary Clubs team up with Parks Foundation to create 4 new sports zones across city
The Calgary Flames Foundation is teaming up with the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park and the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown to make a $3 million gift to the community Friday that will create four new 'sports zones' in communities across the city.
Each one will be a multi-purpose outdoor recreation facility -- outdoor rinks in the winter and multi-sport courts for the rest of the year.
One of the sports zones will be in Pineridge, in northeast Calgary, where it will open in fall 2025. Two more will be built in Sunalta and Crossroads in the fall/winter of 2026 and a fourth in a community to be named later in the fall/winter of 2027.
Each one will include built-in netting and a half-height board system to encourage inclusion and safety, as well as a bright, vibrant design that will bring a little sparkle to each community.
The Flames Foundation is contributing $1 million and each from Calgary's two Rotary Clubs is also contributing $1 million.
The Flames Foundation will also support low-to-no-cost programming at each Flames Rotary Sports Zone location, including after school programming, learn-to-skate and learn-to-play programs, summer programming and ball hockey.
The organization will also support equipment that will be available at no cost at all four sports zones.
'The Flames Rotary Sport Zones represent exactly the kind of community-centred infrastructure that helps build stronger and healthier communities,' said Parks Foundation CEO Sheila Taylor, in a media release. 'By providing no cost programming and equipment along with these innovative amenities, we're ensuring that every child and family can participate.'
'The Flames Rotary Sports Zones will be the focal point of an engaging and vibrant community bringing youth, mentors, education, and sports enthusiasts together in a safe and supporting manner while building bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime,' said Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park president Jim Bladon.
The announcement came a day before the Rotary International Convention kicks off in Calgary at the BMO Centre. An estimated 17,000 Rotarians are visiting Calgary from around the world.
For more information about Flames Rotary Sports Zones, go here.
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