On Monday, September 21, 2026, coinciding with World Alzheimer’s Day, the Martin Family Legacy Garden officially opened in the Dover community (29th Street and 26th Avenue SE). This groundbreaking $3.75 million project is Canada’s first dementia-inclusive park, and the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial (RCCC) is proud to have supported its development.
Rotary Centennial Contribution
Through a strong collaboration, four Calgary Rotary clubs (Centennial, North, Olympic, and West) partnered with District Grants to contribute $32,500 toward the construction of a beautiful gazebo in the park.
This gazebo serves as a shaded resting spot and a central gathering space for families, caregivers, and individuals on the dementia journey. RCCC was proudly represented at the park's opening ceremony by Gary Webster and his wife, Margaret.
About the Park
Five years in the making, the park’s layout was guided by researchers, caregivers, and people with lived experience. Key features include:
- Sensory Stations: Tactile gardens designed to stimulate smell, touch, and sight to help visitors stay engaged with their environment.
- Accessible Pathways: Four uniquely designed, colorful routes that are easy to navigate and wheelchair friendly.
- Community Connection: Strategically located near the Greater Forest Lawn 55+ Society and Bethany Riverview to foster a sense of belonging.
Below, we have attached photos highlighting the informative signage, accessible pathways, and the new Rotary-funded gazebo.
To learn more about the park's design and future, check out the local media coverage:
- Daily Hive: A new Calgary park that just opened is the first of its kind in Canada
- CTV News: First dementia-inclusive park opens in Calgary
What an incredible day of football, fellowship, and fun! On Saturday, August 29, members and friends of the Rotary Club of Calgary Centennial gathered to cheer on our Calgary Stampeders as they took on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the official "Family Day" game
The festivities kicked off early with a fantastic free Tailgate Party at 11:00 AM
For the game itself, we enjoyed premium views (and much-appreciated seats with backs!) from the Blue Sections
Game Results: A Thrilling Finish!
It was an absolute nail-biter, but the Calgary Stampeders secured a spectacular 28-23 come-from-behind victory over the Tiger-Cats! Trailing late in the fourth quarter, the Stamps delivered a Hollywood-worthy finish when running back Dedrick Mills broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run with just 29 seconds left on the clock.
The stadium erupted, making it the perfect cap to an already unforgettable afternoon.
A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in to help organize the tickets and tailgate
Stay tuned for our next club social!
We had an incredibly inspiring weekly meeting on August 12 as we welcomed District Governor Darcy Mykytyshyn, who made the trip down from Red Deer with his son to visit RCCC!
Darcy challenged us to look ahead and set our RCCC action plan in alignment with the 2026–27 Rotary International Presidential theme: "Create Lasting Impact."
A few key takeaways from his presentation:
Connection Drives Membership: We need to establish the kind of Rotary experience that people naturally want to be a part of. A truly connected club experience is what will grow our community.
Share Our Story: We are currently the "best-kept secret in town," and it is time to change that.
Look Forward: Darcy perfectly captured the spirit of our club by citing charter member Jerry van der Linden: "Don't just tell me what we've done. Tell me what we're going to do."
Let's get to work on building our future, RCCC!
Left: District Governor Darcy Mykytyshyn
Right: RCCC President Tim Schaufele
At our August 19 breakfast meeting, we welcomed Melanie Grylls (left in photo), Chief Executive Officer of Kindred, for an inspiring look into their vital community work
Melanie emphasized that without early, connected support, everyday challenges can quickly become crises for vulnerable families
If you'd like to review Melanie's presentation, please click here.
Kindred's new Program Centre Open House
To accommodate their growing impact, Kindred is launching a new Program Centre and has invited our members to attend their upcoming Open House
Date: Wednesday, September 23
Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Kindred Program Centre, #10, 2175 29 Street NE, Calgary
Cost: Free
Please RSVP to reserve your spot.
