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.

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