Jack Redekop

Like many volunteers who make a real difference in their community, Jack Redekop humbly downplays how much impact he has had.

But it is hard to miss the turnaround that has taken place at the Family Leisure Centre, located in the city’s southeast, since he become the volunteer president of the facility’s board of directors four years ago.

At that time, the now 25-year-old community-run centre faced a deficit and was slated to see its operations turned over to the City of Calgary.

Now, thanks to help from both the provincial and municipal governments and a number of corporate sponsors, the centre is expanding, has more members than ever, and last year contributed $350,000 to its sustainability maintenance fund and $100,000 to ongoing maintenance.

While the centre is now making a profit, Redekop is quick to point out that sustainability and viability, rather than profit, are the goals for the 23 community associations that now have a seat on the board — up from the four when Redekop became president.

However, making the centre sustainable meant some tough decisions for the board, including converting the curling rink into a fitness centre. But membership and use of the facility is up, showing that those tough decisions were the right ones.

The Family Leisure Centre will soon be renamed the Trico Centre for Family Wellness, after Trico Homes became a major sponsor as the centre undertook a $19.5 million fundraising campaign; a campaign that will see the centre grow from one arena ice surface to two and undergo other major upgrades, including space for a suite of medical practitioners.

Redekop, who also is the owner of Computer Upgrading Specialists, sees the involvement of Trico and other sponsors as great examples of “community minded people who are successful in their own right, but care about others.”

When asked why he continues to volunteer, Redekop says: “You get a lot more out of it than you put in,” and that he gets “so much energy and fulfillment from those around me. You really can see a contribution to those around you.”

And it’s Redekop’s personal energy and drive that inspire those around him. “I just can’t say enough about the man,” says centre general manager Brenda Smith, who works closely with Redekop and the board and has high praise for the him as an organizer and a visionary, as well as on a personal level. “Because he’s such a good person, he attracts other good people,” she says.

Abbi M. Singh
For inspiring others with his young-at-heart effort

Karo
For being pro bono pros

Parent Support Association
For its unique contribution to keeping parents' sanity

Simon Madhol Atem
For fighting for peace

Dr. Maria Eriksen
For giving, and giving, and giving

MEOW Foundation
For doing the most with the least

Peter Mauro
For sharing a love of music

The Pumphouse Theatres Society
For cultivating the arts

Paul Hagel
For being on board

The Alexandra Community Health Centre
For building a healthier community

Momentum
For providing a caring push

Child & Youth Friendly Calgary
For inspiring the next generation of A-Listers