The Sticks and Strings Foundation, established by NHL player Jordan Eberle and his wife Lauren Rodych-Eberle, is financing a $700,000 outdoor early learning centre at the forthcoming southwest Belmont Library in Calgary. Scheduled to open next year, the nearly 4,000-square-foot facility will offer children an interactive space designed to foster learning through outdoor play. This will become the third outdoor early learning centre among the Calgary Public Library’s 15 such centres.
Tracy Johnson, CEO of the Calgary Public Library Foundation, emphasized the importance of play in childhood development. She noted that early learning centres promote active learning through a combination of talking, reading, singing, and social interaction, offering free access to families regardless of background. “Libraries can provide these opportunities because of committed donors like the Sticks and Strings Foundation,” she said.
Founded in 2022, the Sticks and Strings Foundation focuses on supporting children and families across Canada through five key areas: sports, music, reading, the outdoors, and parent support. Eberle, who currently captains the Seattle Kraken but maintains close ties to Calgary with his growing family, highlighted the motivation behind the foundation’s involvement. “Hockey has given me so much, and we wanted to give back,” he said, stressing the social and physical benefits of outdoor play for children.
Lauren Rodych-Eberle expressed enthusiasm for the project, describing the learning centre as more than a traditional playground. She said it will provide a “full sensory body experience” that integrates all aspects of their foundation’s pillars. The facility’s design is underway, with Johnson explaining that each early learning centre is tailored to meet the unique needs of its community. Planned features include musical and sports elements, as well as areas to support parents.
The Calgary Public Library Foundation has funded all previous early learning centres entirely through donor contributions and aims to eventually establish such spaces at all 23 library branches in the city.
The new Belmont location will offer increased convenience and accessibility for families residing in the Belmont and Silverado neighbourhoods. Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur noted that residents currently must travel some distance to the nearest libraries. The Belmont branch will be within walking or biking distance for many, allowing families to engage with the library and its programs even before entering the building.
Meilleur described the outdoor early learning centre as a welcoming environment where families can begin their educational experiences through play and exploration. She emphasized the library’s role as a space for creativity, learning, and community connection.