Calgary city council asked to approve ambitious plan for new recreation facilities – Calgary [Video]

It’s called ‘GamePLAN’ — an ambitious, 25-year plan to build more recreation facilities in the city. But, it comes with a heavy price — between $200 million and $250 million.

On Thursday, members of Calgary city council’s community development committee approved it in a unanimous vote.

The vote took place following a public hearing in which dozens of athletes, coaches and other residents lined up to voice their support.

“The benefits, the outcomes that you receive from a robust recreation landscape, go far beyond simply access, it’s also mental health,” said Councilor Courtney Walcott, following the vote.

The committee members were presented with three options to choose from:

1. “Going under” would provide no additional dedicated funding, but warned there would be “a stark decline in service” over the next 25 years with older facilities forced to close, significant impacts on program availability, particularly in new communities.
2. “Staying afloat” would cost …