The Sunalta Community Hub has officially opened, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the Sunalta neighborhood. Designed by MBAC, the Hub, which will serve as a gathering place for residents and a resource for community-building activities, promises to enhance the quality of life in the area with a variety of services for all ages.
The development of the Sunalta Community Hub was made possible by the City of Calgary which invested approximately $3 million through the Established Areas Growth and Change Strategy and the Centralized Climate Fund. In addition to this, Sunalta Community Association also secured funding from the Government of Alberta, Calgary Foundation, United Way’s Community Hubs Initiative, and local businesses, family foundations, and residents.
“The Sunalta Community Association consists of a group of people who believed in their power to do amazing things for others. They rallied a community, philanthropic investments and navigated City funding initiatives to create a neighbourhood living room where all are welcome. I encourage everyone to visit, if for nothing else but to realize and be inspired by how much a community filled with imagination and willpower can accomplish,” said Councillor Courtney Walcott.
The Sunalta Community Hub is a part of United Way’s Community Hubs Initiative. The initiative has committed significant seed funding, operational support and capital investments to help Sunalta build a welcoming, inclusive and supportive neighbourhood.
The vision for the Hub is to remove social isolation and improve food security. A variety of programs will be offered ranging from social support, food programs to cultural programming. The Hub is also a social enterprise, with the income it generates going back into the community.
“The opening of the Sunalta Community Hub showcases the strength of Sunalta’s spirit,” says Jenny Vickers, executive director of the Sunalta Community Association. “The Hub is a gift to the community and it is thanks to the dedication of our staff, board of directors, resident volunteers, project team, local businesses and non-profits, political allies, and the generosity of our funders that we have reached this pivotal milestone.”
