Speak 4 Sport
Investing in Edmonton’s community sport and recreation sector is an investment in the health, well-being and future of our city. Sport and recreation builds the community connections that make Edmonton a great place to live, work, and play.
Now is the time to prioritize community sport and recreation to build a healthier, more connected and vibrant Edmonton for generations to come.
Become a Sport Edmonton member and together we can raise awareness about the importance of sport and recreation funding and infrastructure in our city.
SPORT
Numbers worth speaking 4
in the city of Edmonton from 2022 to 2024 (more than 10% growth rate).
see a need for the City of Edmonton to invest in new sport and recreation amenities.
represented by Sport Edmonton’s growing list of member organizations.
between Sport Edmonton and Sport Calgary’s municipal funding, a 2.5x larger investment in Calgary.
Sources: Engage and Play: Shaping Public Recreation in Edmonton survey results, Sport Edmonton membership database, Alberta Sport Council sector scan.
Edmonton is a rapidly growing city with expanding needs for sport and recreation amenities. Those needs can only be met if the City of Edmonton makes investment a priority. Sport Edmonton has emerged as a key partner within the sector, ready to connect opportunities with responsible investment, but we need a reasonable level of funding in order to play this important role.
BUDGET CONVERSATION TIMELINE
Laying the Foundation | May - Oct 2026
Sport Edmonton has been working hard to put sport on the radar for City Council in the lead up to the 2027-30 Budget. We’ve also been working to grow and engage our membership base, providing tangible benefits to our members like access to the Sport Edmonton Event Accelerator Fund.
Budget Draft Released | November 2, 2026
The City is scheduled to release the proposed 2027–2030 Budget. Sport Edmonton will review what is proposed for sport and recreation investment and share relevant information with members.
Speak 4 Sport Campaign | November 2026
Working with our members, Sport Edmonton will continue to advocate publicly and privately to ensure that investments in sport are viewed as essential to building our city. All Edmontonians passionate about sport can contact their City Councillor, or submit written comments on the budget.
Council Presentation | November 23, 2026
Beginning November 23, members of the public will have their chance to speak up about the draft budget at Council’s public hearings. Working with
Edmonton has the foundation in place to achieve meaningful change in how we deliver sport and recreation amenities in a responsible way. We’re calling on Council to spark renewal and development of sport and recreation facilities through the existing RPFIP program, while empowering Sport Edmonton to invest, inform, and connect the sport sector with funding that aligns with mandate and the support other sport councils around the province receive.
$10M Infrastructure Investment
We’re asking Council to invest $10M amount annually in the Recreation Partners Facilities Infrastructure Program (RPFIP).
The program funds the acquisition, construction, enhancement/upgrade, repairs and preventive maintenance or redevelopment of sport and recreation facilities.
This funding is critical to addressing Edmonton’s sport and recreation infrastructure challenges, which can only be met through partnerships.
RPFIP by the numbers:
$25.4M – The total value of projects enabled via $7.5M of municipal funding.
47 per cent – Percentage of total project costs covered by organizations themselves, showing the sport and recreation sector’s commitment to paying their share.
13 – The number of RPFIP projects supported from 2024-27.
$1M Sport Edmonton Investment
As the lowest funded municipal sport council per capita in Alberta, Sport Edmonton is seeking an annual investment of $1M annually from the City.
This level of investment will enable Sport Edmonton to deliver on our three pillars of investing, informing, and connecting the sport sector – building on our current community impacts.
Invest: $400,000+ annually will be invested directly with sport organizations, connecting Council priorities with real-world impact, including through the Sport Edmonton Event Accelerator Fund, as well as other community grants.
Inform: Develop an Annual Impact of Sport Report, aggregating for the first time a comprehensive sector report to inform decisions and ensure the greatest number of Edmontonians benefit from sport and recreation.
Connect: Enhance member collaboration and capacity, while also delivering the Sport Edmonton Partnership Program to connect corporate Edmonton with local sport organizations.
Investment in sport aligns closely with Council’s own strategic priorities, with Sport Edmonton in a unique position to help deliver the benefits of a more connected local sport ecosystem.
Quality services
Enhanced central support and a focus on capacity-building, allowing local sport organizations to focus on delivering outstanding programs and events for Edmontonians.
Economic development
Sport Edmonton is positioned to strategically guide local sport organizations and their economic impact to ensure maximum benefit to Edmonton’s economy.
Where Sport and Community Come together
We work across sports and communities to help create a connected sport and recreation ecosystem that allows our members to focus on what they do best: deliver outstanding sport and recreation opportunities for Edmontonians.
Our focus on driving investment in infrastructure will create the spaces for Edmontonians to connect with their neighbours to enjoy the benefits of sport and recreation.
Together with our event strategy, Edmonton’s sport and recreation spaces will drive real community and economic impact for generations to come, leaving a legacy worth investing in.
Interested in learning more about how you can lend your voice to the cause? Become a Sport Edmonton member today, or simply keep up to date as an insider.
