Provincial Government Supports Critical Hours Recreation 

Some 50 UpStart supporters showed up the afternoon of November 10 to demonstrate their support for critical hours recreation in schools at a news conference hosted at Patrick Airlie School in Forest Lawn.  Representatives from Calgary school boards and the Rocky View School District, as well as all members of the Critical Hours and Grant Implementation committees were in attendance.  The highlight was the presentation of a $1.5 million by the Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, the Honourable Lindsay Blackett, to Council of Champions Co-Chairs Stephanie Felesky and David Marshall.

UpStart is using this funding to create a model that reduces school rental fees and gets kids into activities in their neighbourhood school buildings. Positive results from this pilot will provide evidence to funders and policy makers that opening up schools during critical hours is a wise move that will pay off for our kids now and in the future.

In his speech, Minister Blackett said he’d like to see funding sustained in the coming years, as recreation is one of the keys to the health and wellbeing of our children and youth.  We are thrilled to collaborate with the government on this pilot and we are excited that the government shares our long-term vision.  

Thanks to everyone that showed up at the event on short notice.  It was a great way to show how much momentum there is around this issue. Special thanks to Patrick Airlie Principal, Zoe Sereduik, and her wonderful students who greeted guests at the door and played soccer with the Minister and the MLA for Calgary-Fort.  

This event was the start of something good for Calgary’s children and their parents.