Youth in Red Deer, Alberta can tap into a summer of free transit and recreation starting June 22. The City of Red Deer has brought back its Rip ‘N Rec Summer Pass for 2026, giving anyone aged 17 and under unlimited access to city buses and all four municipally run recreation centres until August 31.
The pass costs $55 this year, up five dollars from previous summers. It went on sale June 10 and continues a program that first launched in 2018, blending two popular services to keep young people active and independent.
With the pass, youth can drop into the Collicutt Centre, G.H. Dawe Community Centre, Michener Aquatic Centre, and the Recreation Centre. Activities range from swimming and fitness classes to gym sports, and the pass covers the bus ride to get there. The city says this helps cut travel hurdles that often keep young people out of recreation.
“The Rip ‘n Rec Summer Pass is intended to provide youth with some healthy ways to spend their time this summer and the ride to get there,” said Barb McKee, the city’s recreation superintendent. “It allows youth access to all four City recreation centres including the outdoor pool all summer long. This is just one more way we provide low and no cost options for everyone in Red Deer to get out, get active and have fun.”
The program is part of a broader city push for affordable recreation and transit. This spring, Red Deer City Council endorsed the Community Compass master plan, which will guide recreation and transit service delivery over the next dozen years. The plan’s development included $550,000 approved by council in April 2026.
