Calgary

Calgary council approves $154M in spending on new recreation facilities

Calgary city council voted on Monday to spend $154 million on new recreation facilities, ranging from $6 million for a dome at the southeast Soccer Centre to $45 million for a twin arena redevelopment at Glenmore Athletic Park.

Money will fund 6 new projects, including regional fieldhouses in the deep southwest and northeast

A runner trains at an athletic park in this file photo. The city plans to spend millions bringing new facilities to far corners of Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Calgary city council voted on Monday to spend $154 million on new recreation facilities across the city.

The breakdown of new facilities and the cost is:

  • Northeast Regional Fieldhouse at Skyview Ranch: $32 million.
  • Northeast Athletic Park at Saddle Ridge: $25 million. 
  • Northwest Athletic Park at Rocky Ridge: $14 million.
  • Southeast Air Inflated Structure (Dome) at the Soccer Centre: $6 million.
  • Southwest Regional Fieldhouse at Belmont: $32 million.
  • Southwest Twin Arena Redevelopment at Glenmore Athletic Park: $45 million.

Most of the money for the new facilities will come from developer levies and city reserve funds. 

City administration says the two regional fieldhouses will be able to accommodate a variety of recreational activities, as well as cultural activities, festivals and events. 

Consultations are planned to determine the best design for each community and to establish a master plan for each fieldhouse. 

Most of the new facilities are on the outer edges of the city, where population growth continues to drive demand, according to the city.

The new twin arena in a more central southwest location will help fill the gap left by the collapse of the Fairview Arena and replace the aging Stu Peppard single sheet rink. Hockey Calgary has committed $3.6 million to the project. 

In the central southeast, the domed soccer field will be added to the existing Soccer Centre for more year-round play.