The City of Calgary has identified 17 priority projects for public recreation facilities as part of a new long-term strategy to address growth challenges and historic underfunding. The list includes new construction, upgrades, and renewals to athletic parks, leisure centres, aquatic centres, and fitness facilities across the city.
Key Projects on the Priority List
Among the highlighted projects are the redevelopment of the Forest Lawn and Foothills aquatic and fitness centres, upgrades to the New Brighton and Shouldice athletic parks, and the construction of the Northeast Athletic Complex, Kingsland Athletic Park, and Rocky Ridge Fieldhouse. Additionally, renovation and expansion are planned for the Southland Leisure Centre, along with upgrades to Woodbine Athletic Park.
A relocation of the Shane Homes West Soccer Dome is also included, prompted by the city's plan to build a water treatment plant in the area. The long-sought multi-sport fieldhouse in Foothills Athletic Park, near McMahon Stadium, remains on the list, as does the redevelopment of the Shouldice Arena in Montgomery.
Other Notable Projects
Rounding out the priority list are the construction of Belmont Athletic Park with an aquatic and fitness centre, expansion of Great Plains Arena, and a renovation and expansion of Westside Recreation Centre.
GamePLAN: A 25-Year Blueprint
The project list is part of GamePLAN, the city's 25-year blueprint to adequately fund recreational facilities through 2050. Approved by the previous council in February 2025, the strategy earmarks up to $250 million in annual spending to address Calgary's public recreation needs and upgrade aging or oversubscribed facilities.
By 2050, the plan calls for approximately $6.25 billion in capital investment to support building, expanding, or upgrading athletic parks and public recreation centres, including both city- and partner-operated venues. This investment aims to keep pace with rising demand as Calgary's population grows, allowing for 25% more bookable hours at arenas, 35% more swim lessons per capita, and 2.5 times more bookable hours for fieldhouses and athletic parks.
Florent Le Berre, manager of strategy, planning, innovation, and impact with Calgary Recreation, explained that project selection criteria included facility condition, location, demand, and project readiness. "Calgary is a rapidly growing city with a changing demographic," he said. "The demand we see in our systems is evolving as well. For example, we have a lot of demand for cricket, soccer, and pickleball."
