$154M approved for 6 recreation projects in Calgary
City councillors in Calgary have approved $154 million to support the development of six capital projects aimed at increasing recreation opportunities in under-served areas.
The goal is to allow more Calgarians to be more active, more often.
The move comes after council directed administrators earlier this year to develop a capital investment strategy that addressed gaps in play and practice spaces in new and established areas.
"This included addressing aging recreation infrastructure, service needs, and equitable distribution of in-demand amenities throughout Calgary," read a release from the city.
"Six proposed priority projects addressing community needs, accessibility and readiness were approved by council.
The projects and budget allocations include:
- 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 Calgary Soccer Centre - $6 million;
- Southwest regional fieldhouse at Belmont - $32 million, and;
- Southwest twin arena redevelopment at Glenmore Athletic Park - $45 million.
"I'm so pleased council came together to make this generational investment that will address recreation gaps across our city," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "This will have a lasting impact, opening up new and much-needed sports and play opportunities for children and adults in our community."
Funding will come from offsite levies and the city's Community Investment Reserve.
Council also recently approved investments in the downtown core, including $45 million to the Repsol Centre and $200 mililon for Calgary's Greater Downtown Plan.
"The six new projects will include public engagement during the master planning stages of each site," read a release.
The project are slated to be completed over the next several years, with the last project to open in 2027.
"This is an investment in the collective health of our children, families, and communities," said Ward 5 Coun. George Chahal.
"Healthy neighbourhoods need high-quality spaces where people can play and be active. Healthy cities are committed to filling gaps in services and amenities, so everybody has the same opportunities regardless of their address.
"Now is the time to invest in recreation as we emerge from a pandemic," Chahal added. "It is a key to our collective recovery."
Chahal said there will be lots of demand for the new facillities.
"Every baseball diamond in northeast Calgary you see cricket played on it," he said, "so I think this is the changing face of our city, to have facilities to accommodate the new sports we have in our city."
"Having that permanent wicket in place where you can meet international standards, gather, watch and play and potentially host larger international tournaments, that's very important for NE Calgary."
GENESIS CENTRE AS INSPIRATION
Nenshi said the new facilities are designed with a community-first mindset, and modelled after the Genesis Centre.
"When it's not COVID, you can go there anytime and see people from across the community. It could be senior's playing cards, they might be using the rented facilities or they might be using the library.
"These sorts of things aren't just for physical fitness, but they are centres for community. And in particular, I'm excited we're building in this process across the whole city."
More information can be found on the city's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.