The City of Calgary is expanding access to Fair Entry services with the opening of a third location in Shawnessy (333 Shawville Blvd. S.E.) on Sept. 8, 2025. The new site will provide residents in the city’s south with more convenient access to affordable programs and services.
Fair Entry opens doors for Calgarians to fully participate in our city. It’s a one-stop application process that allows eligible Calgarians living with low income to apply once a year for multiple subsidies. These include discounted transit passes, reduced-cost recreation opportunities and other fee assistance programs that help people live, move and thrive in their communities. “Fair Entry is about more than access to programs and services. It reflects the best of who we are as a city, where the wellbeing of every Calgarian matters,” says Heather Johnson, Director of Recreation and Social Programs. “It helps people take part in community life with dignity, reduces barriers and ensures everyone feels welcome and supported, no matter their financial situation.”
Demand for Fair Entry continues to grow, with more than 116,000 applicants year-to-date in 2025. Despite online and mail-in options, nearly two-thirds of applicants still rely on in-person service. Fair Entry first opened its doors at the Municipal Building and Village Square Leisure Centre Library in 2015.Since then, Calgary’s population has grown to more than 1.6 million residents, increasing demand for equitable access to programs and services that support daily life in Calgary. This new location will help reduce long wait times while providing a welcoming, accessible and dignified experience for residents.
“By opening this new south Calgary location, we are making it easier and faster for residents to access the supports they need, closer to home. This is one way we are listening to Calgarians and improving how we serve them”, Heather adds.
This new Shawnessy location is being introduced as a pilot site, featuring:
- Four Fair Entry and two Calgary Transit counters for faster, more efficient service. Calgary Transit staff will sell both low-income and seniors’ transit passes (debit/credit only).
- Free parking and convenient access to the Somerset-Bridlewood C-Train station.
- A new queuing system will be introduced to help reduce wait times and improve the customer experience.
The site operates on weekdays, and residents can visit calgary.ca/fairentry to check hours of operation, learn more or apply online.
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About Fair Entry
Fair Entry is a cornerstone of The City of Calgary’s commitment to equity, providing vital access to fee-reduced programs and services for Calgarians experiencing financial hardship. It is a single application process that helps eligible residents access some programs at a lower cost. Eligibility is based on residency, income and in some cases, age.
