Lighting can do so much more than brighten a space. For some communities it can mean safer gathering places or extended recreation time. Through energy-efficient lighting replacements, Energizing Spaces has transformed more communities with new rink/security lighting.
Check out these incredible community stories from our 2025 Grant Recipients:
A New Light on the Ice at Lake Bonavista Community Association
For years, the community rink lighting at Lake Bonavista Community Association was adequate for the needs of skaters both on and off the ice, but as the system aged, it presented more and more challenges for the broad range of community members who use the facility.
Energizing Spaces powered by ENMAX helped them upgrade their inefficient and outdated system with high-efficiency LEDs. It’s been a positive transformation for everyone who steps onto the ice.
With improved visibility and energy efficiencies of LED lighting, the upgrade enhances safety, reduces operating costs, and ensures that all community members—from young children learning to skate, to teens engaging in recreation, to seniors enjoying a healthy, social activity—can benefit from the facility.
Wildwood's Rink's Bright Future
Wildwood Community Rink is more than just ice; it’s a vital community hub for skaters and neighbours alike. It boasts one of the best-kept ice surfaces in the area, maintained by dedicated volunteers, who manage everything from Zamboni operation and flooding to organizing hockey games and cozy campfires
However, no amount of passion could save the failing rink lighting system. The lights took several minutes to “warm up,” wasting both electricity and posing a safety risk to skaters. Once warm, the old multi-directional lights caused a new problem: they shone into neighbouring houses, causing uncomfortable glare. Additionally, the outdated system wasted electricity, and inflated operating costs for the community association.
Thanks to a generous grant from Energizing Spaces, Wildwood replaced the failing fixtures with new, high-efficiency LED lights. The new lights use HALF the electricity of the old system, providing cost savings that will help this community hub continue to thrive. Proper lighting through the darker months helps make the space usable, safe and inviting for both the skaters and the people who enjoy the cozy campfires around the rink. The directed lighting has reduced the light pollution disrupting the rink’s neighbours.
Proper lighting helps to secure the rink as a cherished community hub for many years to come.
New Light, New Life on Bankview's Courts
Energizing Spaces powered by ENMAX has done more than just upgrade the court lighting at Bankview Community Association – it’s ignited the entire community! These new lights have dramatically extended the usability and made the courts more inclusive and welcoming for all ages and abilities.
Before the upgrade, playtime ended at dusk, excluding many families and working individuals from enjoying the courts. Since installing the new lighting, Bankview’s evening tennis and pickleball bookings have increased. Even as the temperature drops, the well-lit courts have allowed residents to continue playing late into the fall, extending the regular playing season.
Since the installation, the association has seen a noticeable increase in participation across all demographics, including a rising number of seniors enjoying pickleball!
Not only do these lights illuminate the courts so that play can continue, but they also spill over to the surrounding pathways and greenspace, creating a safer, more welcoming environment for neighbours walking to and from the courts.
These new lights have made Bankview’s courts a unique feature of the area, and they hope to leverage this asset to help boost membership numbers and community engagement in the new year.
Overall, the upgrade has supported more active, social, and healthy lifestyles in their community, while also improving safety and accessibility. The association is already planning the next phase, aiming to expand their facility lighting so that play can begin earlier in the spring and continue later into the evenings throughout the year.
A brighter welcome for Inglewood community association
Inglewood Community Association’s lighting upgrade has created a brighter, safer, and more welcoming environment for everyone who uses its facilities. Improved lighting at entrances, exits, pathways, and the waste and recycling enclosure benefits the families, seniors, staff, rental clients, and community members passing through the site.
The upgrade is particularly valuable during Calgary’s long winter nights, helping people with reduced mobility navigate icy surfaces with greater confidence, making it easier for rental clients to access the building and move equipment, and improving staff safety when accessing outdoor areas after dark.
By increasing visibility and security, this project supports safer access, greater peace of mind, and a more positive experience for the entire Inglewood community.
Lighting the way to oakridge's community hub
Energizing Spaces Powered by ENMAX helped implement Oakridge Community Centre’s lighting upgrades, creating a safer, more welcoming space for residents. Children attending before- and after-school care and preschool, youth participating in recreational sports, seniors enjoying fitness classes and social activities, and families and adults visiting this community hub all benefit from these improvements.
A key highlight is the enhanced lighting at the main entrance, which improves visibility and safety for everyone arriving at the centre, particularly during Calgary’s dark winter mornings and evenings.
By helping reduce the risk of slips and falls while creating a brighter, more inviting entrance, the upgrades support greater accessibility, comfort, and peace of mind for the entire community.
More light, more opportunity at riverbend
Riverbend Community Association’s lighting upgrade is creating a safer, more welcoming, and energy-efficient community centre for residents of all ages, particularly youth and seniors who rely on its programs and activities.
Improved lighting and clearer wayfinding make it easier for visitors of all abilities to find and access the main entrance, especially during Calgary’s darker winter months.
Energy-efficient LED lighting and automated timer controls ensure the centre is well-lit during evening events and drop-in programs while reducing unnecessary energy use during off-hours.
The upgrade has supported increased attendance at evening activities, improved safety and comfort, and lowered monthly utility costs. These savings can be reinvested into inclusive, accessible programming, helping Riverbend build a more sustainable community hub for the future.
Brighter nights on the kingsland rink
With support from Energizing Spaces Powered by ENMAX, Kingsland Community Association’s outdoor rink lighting upgrade is helping make winter recreation safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for the whole community.
The free, centrally located rink is a valued gathering place for children, youth, families, seniors, newcomer families, and residents who may face financial barriers to organized sports and paid recreation. New energy-efficient lights improve visibility during after-school hours and into the evening, giving more residents the opportunity to stay active, socialize, and connect throughout Calgary’s long winter months.
The brighter, more consistent lighting helps reduce visibility concerns and fall risks, giving parents greater peace of mind and making the rink more welcoming for skaters of all ages. By supporting safer evening use and more reliable operating hours, this upgrade strengthens access to affordable recreation while creating opportunities for community connection, physical activity, and well-being.
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