Creating an inclusive Calgary where everyone can live, learn, work and play without barriers

Calgary, AB – Wednesday, April 10, 2024 – Deeply rooted in CNIB’s 60-year history in Bridgeland-Riverside Village, Calgary is leading the way to a barrier-free Canada. The City of Calgary has amended its lease with CNIB at 10 11A ST NE to allow for mixed-use development for both at-market and below-market rent. This amendment enables CNIB to partner with a developer to design an inclusive community, a first of its kind in Canada.

“Empowered by the voices of the people we serve, CNIB’s vision to transform the Bridgeland-Riverside Village into an inclusive community, built with accessibility by design and enabled by innovative technology, is becoming reality. With the City of Calgary championing accessibility and inclusion every step of the way, this dynamic redevelopment project will not only accommodate the CNIB Western Canada Hub but also offer residential, retail, and commercial opportunities,” says Angela Bonfanti, Chief Operating Officer, CNIB. “Together, we’re creating an inclusive Calgary where everyone can live, learn, work and play without barriers.”

The Inclusive Calgary Community Project will:

  • provide affordable, accessible housing through the sustainable development of multi-generational homes featuring modern amenities;
  • champion collaboration through shared spaces with excellent digital connectivity;
  • foster meaningful connections to support social equality and economic growth;
  • nurture green places by adopting a community lifestyle of reusing and recycling;
  • leverage local and national champions in the technology space to incorporate smart mobility, including wayfinding technology, in indoor and outdoor spaces;
  • and be home to a volunteer centre where all Calgarians have a sense of belonging in a vibrant community.

"By creating much-needed accessible and affordable housing and new, barrier-free programming space for Calgarians with vision loss, CNIB is contributing to a more inclusive city," says Mayor Jyoti Gondek. "This project will set new, smart technology standards for communities in which people of all abilities can contribute and belong."

Craig Peterson, Executive Director, Alberta and Northwest Territories, CNIB; Kezia Gray, Trainer, Puppy Development, CNIB Guide Dogs with a puppy in training; Angela Bonfanti, Chief Operating Officer, CNIB and Christall Beaudry, Vice President, Western Canada, CNIB at the City of Calgary Public Hearing Meeting of Council on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Craig Peterson, Executive Director, Alberta and Northwest Territories, CNIB; Kezia Gray, Trainer, Puppy Development, CNIB Guide Dogs with a puppy in training; Angela Bonfanti, Chief Operating Officer, CNIB and Christall Beaudry, Vice President, Western Canada, CNIB at the City of Calgary Public Hearing Meeting of Council on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

The new CNIB Western Canada Hub in Bridgeland-Riverside Village will build on the success of smaller CNIB Hubs across the country.

“Whether it’s showcasing the latest advancements in accessible tech with an interactive technology bar, immersive product demos and educational training sessions; hosting a suite of offerings, including children and youth camps, recreational and social activities, learning and employment initiatives and wellness workshops to providing equitable access to community programs for people with sight loss, we look forward to continuing to work with the City of Calgary to remove barriers for the more than 85,000 Calgarians who are blind, Deafblind or have low vision,” says Christall Beaudry, Vice President, Western Canada, CNIB. “We will also incorporate an innovative incubator to invigorate entrepreneurs and changemakers as well as connect job seekers with employers who want to discover top talent in Calgary.”

Throughout this process, CNIB has engaged extensively with the community, including presentations and discussions with the City of Calgary’s Planning Department, Urban Design Review Panel, the Bridgeland-Riverside Community Association, adjacent landowners, and area residents. Their invaluable input has been integral in shaping our proposal and we look forward to more conversations with these groups.

With this lease amendment, CNIB will move forward with the next phase of the project. CNIB anticipates submitting its Master Plan and Development Permit within one year.

 

About CNIB

Founded in 1918, CNIB is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empowers people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. Our work is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners from coast to coast to coast. To learn more or get involved, visit cnib.ca.

 

Media Contact

Shannon Simpson

Executive Lead, Regional Development

Shannon.Simpson@cnib.ca

More News

From April 16 to May 30, 2025, Canadians across the country will participate in this virtual five-kilometre movement event in support of CNIB Guide Dogs. We hope you’ll join us!
This commemorative medal was created to mark His Majesty King Charles III’s Coronation on May 6, 2024, and is being manufactured by the Royal Canadian Mint. Recipients are eligible for this honour because they have made a significant contribution to the country, their province, territory, region or community, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada.
The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) went on strike this morning, Friday, November 15. CNIB is working to minimize the impact the strike will have on Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision, particularly as it relates to the delivery of alternative-format materials provided through our partners at CELA (Centre for Equitable Library Access).
The CNIB community is deeply saddened by the passing of Delores Beck, one of our most generous donors and a true champion of CNIB Guide Dogs. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
As a result of generous funding from the Law Foundation of Alberta, and in partnership with the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta, Know Your Rights is now available in Alberta.
Through the creation of plain language legal information resources, CNIB’s Know Your Rights -Alberta project empowers people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision, to better understand their legal rights, navigate the legal system, and self-advocate to challenge discrimination.
Read more news