Alberta Blue Cross is excited to announce another year of supporting active living infrastructure with the Built Together grant program. After a careful review of 134 applications (an increase of 19 over the previous year), Alberta Blue Cross has awarded the following 5 projects with a $50,000 grant each:

Glastonbury neighbourhood, Edmonton: multisport outdoor recreation area
Patterson Heights neighbourhood, Calgary: outdoor activity hub
West Coulee Station Parent Society, Lethbridge: inclusive playground
Trail 77 Association, Taber: Trails for All accessible beginner trails
Little Red River Board of Education, Fox Lake: accessible playground

Each year, the Built Together grant program offers $50,000 grants to fund 1 infrastructure project that fosters 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 of social interaction. Of our 134 applications this year, 11 were from Calgary, 16 from Edmonton, 31 from secondary cities, 45 from rural communities and 12 from Indigenous communities.

“As we reflect on 11 years of the Built Together grant program, what really stands out is the way these spaces bring neighbours together,” says Narissa Kanji, director of the Community Impact team. “Whether it’s a playground, a rink, or a walking trail, these projects create a place where people can gather, be active and feel connected. We’re proud to help make that possible in communities across Alberta.”

These active living projects are essential in connecting and creating community. Led by community members, the Glastonbury Community League took on the ambitious task of building a hub that will feature seasonal sports courts for pickleball, basketball and volleyball, an NHL-sized boarded outdoor skating rink, a recreational skating rink, a skating path and picnic grounds.

“The Glastonbury Community League is thrilled to partner with Alberta Blue Cross on our Glastonbury Community Hub project,” says Chelsea Balzan. “The support provided through the Built Together grant helps us take a major step toward bringing this vision to life—a place where residents can come together, stay active and strengthen connections within our community.”

The grant program has provided $2.9 million in funding across the province for over a decade. Funding comes from the Alberta Blue Cross community foundation.

The 2026 Built Together grant program will open 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.

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For more information, please contact Stefan Tarnawsky, communications officer, Corporate Communications, Alberta Blue Cross, at starnaws@ab.bluecross.ca.