$62 Million-Dollar Expansion Groundbreaking Media Kit

May 27, 2021

Vivo for Healthier Generations Creates New Centre for Community Wellbeing Groundbreaking for $62 Million-Dollar Expansion

After nearly 10 years of co-creating with community stakeholders, Vivo for Healthier Generations (11950 Country Village Link NE) is bringing the community’s vision for stronger, healthier communities to life with the groundbreaking of its $62 million-dollar building expansion.

By challenging how we think about and use community facilities, Vivo is designing spaces that have purposeful flow and connection, and are modern, flexible, fluid and engage the outdoors. Integrating a holistic Eastern & Western approach to health and well-being, you will see these elements throughout the facility to unite all ages, abilities and cultures and the overall design will serve as a model for healthy living.

The project creates a much-needed community hub in north-central Calgary and beyond by offering 135,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor new and renovated spaces. The design features a first-of-its-kind indoor park and outdoor community “hug” will serve as much needed gathering spaces and an aquatic expansion inspired by a lakeside experience with a firepit, six-lane 25-meter pool, sauna and steam rooms. There will be enhanced accessible fitness opportunities, certified LEED Gold green building strategies, a social innovation collaboration so the community can continue to bring its ideas to life and much more.

Watch the groundbreaking that aired on Tuesday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the launch of this project designed for the community, by the community. Vivo’s goal is to foster an environment that is holistic, open, inviting, integrated, collaborative, interactive, multi-generational and anchored in social connections.

The design incorporates feedback from extensive consultations with community members, accessibility advocates, environmental experts and public figures to ensure the space unites all ages, abilities and cultures. Funding for the project is provided in part by the Government of Canada, Province of Alberta, City of Calgary and Calgary Foundation.

“Alberta’s government is proud to partner with Vivo for Healthier Generations to provide $15 million towards the completion of this exciting $62 million recreation centre,” says Jason Kenney, Alberta Premier. “As we celebrate the groundbreaking of this project we want to thank everyone whose hard work has made this happen. To all of the volunteers and everyone else who helped raise money, you’re making this city and this province a better place. Thank you for your efforts.”

Upon completion, Vivo expects to double its visitors, welcoming over 269,000 Calgarians through the doors each month. Before the pandemic, Vivo was forced to turn away dozens of community and cultural groups each month due to a lack of space. The expansion will enable community organizations to gather, plan, meet and connect in a space that fosters health and well-being.

“Vivo means “to live” and this project embraces and celebrates diversity, community and the common thread that unites us all – life,” says Vivo’s Chief Evolution Officer, Cynthia Watson. Vivo is a charity committed to inspiring Canadians of all generations to live a healthy life whether they’re at home, school, work, play, in the community or at the facility.

“This has been a 10-year “labour of love” project to bring to life together with north-central’s Calgary’s vision for a more inclusive, accessible and sustainable community where all generations can belong, learn and grow and be healthy for life” said Sharilyn Nagina, Chair for Vivo’s Board of Directors.

“Since 2004, Vivo has been the heart of north-central Calgary. It is the place that encouraged us to embrace our need for play, no matter our age,” says Jyoti Gondek, ward 3 councillor. “Vivo helped us come alive as a community and this expansion project ensures that future generations will thrive in the same way.”

“When a community is striving for wellness, they need that shining star or lighthouse that they can look to as a guide – Vivo is that guide providing a common bond for all of us.” Surinderjit [Stan] Plaha, president of the North Calgary Cultural Association.

All In for Community is the fundraising campaign to raise the final 10% ($6.5M) of funds required to complete the expansion project.

Learn more about the All In Campaign

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