Special Olympics Alberta is excited to announce our partnership with Westside Recreation Centre in Calgary, bringing more fitness opportunities for youth with intellectual & developmental disabilities!

Westside Recreation Centre is a sport and recreation facility featuring a pool, climbing wall, ice surface and more that offers accessible fitness and recreation programming and activities. With the development of the SOA x Westside partnership, the facility has introduced many youth programs, both integrated where athletes with IDD and athletes without IDD participate together, and exclusive adaptive programming to increase choice for young athletes in Calgary and their families!

In response to why they partnered with Special Olympics Alberta, Westside shared “At Westside, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to feel confident, supported, and included in movement and sport. We believe that individuals of all abilities should have equal opportunity to participate in all types of physical activity, including fitness programming. Partnering with Special Olympics Alberta was a natural fit because we share the same values around inclusion, wellness, and community connection. This partnership allows us to create welcoming spaces where athletes of all abilities can build skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of physical activity.”

What does Inclusion mean to Westside?

“Inclusion means meeting people where they are, removing barriers and creating environments where everyone feels they belong. In the context of the inclusive programming we are offering at Westside, it means giving equal opportunity for all abilities to participate in the children and youth fitness programs that we offer. However, it’s not just about participation, it’s about feeling seen, valued, and supported. Through our partnership with Special Olympics Alberta, we are proud to help foster programs that celebrate individual strengths and ensure all athletes have meaningful opportunities to move, grow, and thrive.”

Special Olympics Alberta works with many partners to create inclusive sport opportunities for all athletes. Here are some of our previously featured partnerships: