By the numbers: Calgary's new river access strategy

Article content

After hearing from canoeists, kayakers, river surfers, anglers and rafters, a city committee unanimously pushed forward a proposal to revamp access to Calgary’s waterways on Wednesday. 

Several river organizations praised the 30-page River Access Strategy that city administration put together following a notice of motion from councillors Shane Keating and Gian-Carlo Carra in June, pushing for increased access to the popular Elbow and Bow rivers. The strategy will now go before council for final approval.

“The river is so beloved by so many people. You saw that today with the number of different community groups and organizations that came out,” Carra said Wednesday. “It’s becoming an increasingly important part of Calgary summers.”

Postmedia reporter Annalise Klingbeil has compiled important numbers from the strategy, proposed funding and Wednesday’s committee meeting:

2013: the year of the destructive flood that significantly affected Calgary’s rivers and destroyed several formal boat launches.

3: the current number of boat launches on the Bow River.

24: the proposed number of access points on the Bow River under the strategy, including 10 boat launches and 14 hand launches. 

13: the number of organizations that addressed councillors on Wednesday representing a wide array of river users. 

$50 million: amount the Calgary River Users Alliance estimates is brought to the Calgary economy every year through river tourism and access.

$7.66 million: amount city administration estimates is needed to implement the entire Calgary River Access Strategy. “It’s a very small amount of capital dollars that impact a huge number of people,” said Carra. There is currently no council-approved budget for full implementation. 

$1.68 million: amount city administration estimates is needed to implement six high-priority sites, identified based on safety issues, environmental protection, demand and usage, under the strategy. The proposed funding for the immediate needs would come from Calgary Parks, grants and Infrastructure Calgary. 

12: the number of years Neil Egsgard, of the Alberta River Surfing Association, has been “building up Calgary as a surfing destination.”

5,000: the number of youths the Bow Waters Canoe Club reached through paddling lessons and summer camp programs last year.

4,000: the number of youths the Alberta Whitewater Association teaches to kayak and canoe annually. 

12,000: the number of anglers that fish the Bow River — recognized as a world-class trout fishery — annually, according to the Bow River Trout organization.