Alberta Blue Cross® is excited to announce another year supporting active living infrastructure across the province through its Built Together grant program. After careful review of 115 applications, Alberta Blue Cross® has awarded the following 5 projects with a $50,000 grant each:
- Norwood School, Edmonton: accessible playground
- Dover neighbourhood, Calgary: dementia-inclusive park
- Centennial Park, Jasper: skatepark
- Salt Prairie, Big Lakes County: playground
- Big Horn, Stoney Nakoda First Nation: accessible playground
Each year, the Built Together grant program offers $50,000 grants to fund infrastructure projects that foster active living in each of the following areas: Edmonton, Calgary, a secondary city, a rural community and an Indigenous community. The projects must be freely accessible to all community members, and while they support physical wellbeing, they also stand as a hub for social interaction.
“As a champion for wellbeing, Alberta Blue Cross® has supported more than 50 community infrastructure projects across the province over the past 11 years through our Built Together grant program,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross®. “This includes playgrounds, bike and skateboard parks, multi-use sports courts and rinks, outdoor gyms and walking trails.”
These active living projects are essential in connecting and creating community, as seen with the Alzheimer Society of Calgary who are working to build Canada’s first dementia-inclusive park. The park will be designed with safety, sensory, support and signage at its core, with accessible pathways, signage for wayfinding, wander loops, game tables and space for lawn games.
“This innovative space will serve as a beacon of inclusion and care for those impacted by dementia and their caregivers,” says Barb Ferguson, executive director at Alzheimer Calgary. “The park will provide a safe and welcoming green space that fosters play, physical activity and connection for community members.”
Funding for the program comes from the Alberta Blue Cross® community foundation.
The 2025 Built Together grant program will open for applications in the spring. More information on
previous recipients and how to apply is available on the Alberta Blue Cross® community website.
About Alberta Blue Cross®
As the largest provider of health benefits in Alberta, we believe we have the potential and responsibility
to impact people’s lives for the better. We believe all communities should thrive, and we are committed
to serving as a champion for wellness by promoting the health of Albertans.
For more information, please contact Sharmin Hislop, director of Corporate Communications, Alberta Blue Cross®, at 780-498-8283 or shislop@ab.bluecross.ca.
The media release was shared as a news story on
- Fitzhugh on Skatepark gets $50,000 from Alberta Blue Cross, construction resuming this spring
- Rocky Mountain Outlook (and print edition) on Big Horn of Îyârhe Nakoda First Nation receiving grant for accessible playground
