For the past 56 years, Vecova’s home next to the University of Calgary has served the disabled and abled communities alike with programming space and one of the city’s only warm water pools.

As of June 17, that facility will no longer be serving the hundreds of thousands of visitors it has received each year, as the organization transitions into a hub and spoke model for programming, and a partnership with Vivo and City of Calgary Recreation for pool space.

“We have been here at this location since 1969, and it has been a safe haven, a place of learning and development and growth for individuals from all walks of life, and especially for those with disabilities. And we want to continue that by relocating our operations after we close this facility,” said Kelly Binns-Holmes, CEO of Vecova.

Vecova was founded by Christine Meikle in 1964, with the Vocational and Rehabilitation Research Institute, which sought to provide a purpose-built facility for the needs of disabled Calgarians during the height of the disability rights movement.

That became a centennial project in 1969, providing vocational training and on-site housing in a 46-unit tower.

In closing, Binns-Holmes said that the facility had simply come to the end of its lifespan.

“It is beyond its intended lifespan, and it’s time to close the building before we are in an emergency situation. It’s been a very difficult decision on the part of the staff and the board of directors, but we want to ensure that Vecova continues in the community and continues to deliver the vital work that we do.”

Adaptive programming to continue on with new partners

Adaptive recreation will be taken over by a partnership with Vivo, located in northeast Calgary, and for the summer at an outdoor pool that will have heated water.

Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp, who represents the area where the Vecova building was located, said that the closing of the facility was a bittersweet moment.

“Everybody’s here together on a day like today. It’s really disappointing that other levels of government couldn’t pony up the money to keep this around a little bit longer; it’s going to be a bruise in the community,” she said.

Vecova had been seeking additional funding to turn the building facility into a state-of-the-art facility that would have alleviated a several-thousand-person waiting list.

That funding failed to materialize, leading to the hard decision to close.

“I know a lot of people are going to see the news today and maybe not even be aware this has actually happened until today,” said Coun. Sharp.

“So many memories have been made here. I know some of the mom groups that used to bring our little ones here because the water is warm, utilizing the facility for birthdays. I know that there’s plans to restructure this facility in other areas, but it is home here in Varsity.”

Decisions not finalized with what is to become of Vecova facility

Binns-Holmes said that discussions have been ongoing with the City of Calgary as to what will become of the building, but no details were yet available.

One of the users impacted by the closure on Tuesday was Derek Cusler, who had been using Vecova services since he turned 18, some 15 years ago.

“I’m sad. We have a great program called the bottle depot and pickup service. I was a part of that 10 years ago, and also the pool, and then the summer camp for the kids, I feel really bad for them,” Cusler said.

“I like how they helped me find a job at the bottle depot, volunteering, and maintenance, and my new volunteer job at the Brick Bin.”

Fred Crabb, Cusler’s guardian and cousin, said that it was sad to see the building go, but was thankful that the services would continue on at the new Vecova hubs.

“Derek is still involved and everything. It’s been a great building for him, and so many good memories here,” Crabb said.

“[Vecova programs continuing], it means just about everything. I mean, Vecova was so instrumental, and Derek had some difficulties as a young guy, and they really helped him along and got him through a tough time. He probably wouldn’t be here without Vecova today.”

Transitions in programming are expected to occur over the summer, with the Vecova Bottle Depot closing its physical location on Sept. 15, with pickup services continuing via scheduled pickups or booking online.

Programming will be reopening at new hubs in downtown Calgary at the Kahanoff Centre, in the northwest at Kaleidoscope on the other side of the University of Calgary from the current hub, and at other locations across Calgary, Airdrie, and the Bow Valley.