The City of Calgary Recreation has developed concept plans for both Glenmore and Foothills Athletic Parks proposing improvements to better support Calgary's recreation needs over the long term. Stakeholders including leaseholders and user groups will be kept informed and engaged throughout the process.
What will the new facilities look like?
Check out the video below to see the concept plans for the new athletic parks.
You can also view the concept plan images:
For detailed information, download the full concept plan:
Current project status and next steps
The City of Calgary has completed a number of steps in this stage of the proposed developments. They include:
Engineering studies
Civil engineering studies (including Storm Water Management Reports, Site Servicing Studies, Deep Services Review, and Development Site Servicing Plans for both Foothills and Glenmore Athletic Parks)
Transportation engineering studies (including Transportation Impact Assessments and parking studies for both Foothills and Glenmore Athletic Parks)
Operational planning reports for both Foothills and Glenmore Athletic Parks (an analyzation of probable operating costs, revenue potential and cost recovery potential of the new facilities at Foothills and Glenmore Athletic Parks).
Programing reports, Test Fit Exercises and Projected Costs Update
Programming reports were generated to define the baseline requirements for each athletic amenity to effectively operate as a standalone facility for its intended purpose.
Test Fit Exercises were undertaken to analyze and identify any efficiencies and functional redundancies as a result of the programmatic organization of the various athletic amenities onsite.
Probable cost estimates associated with each construction phase have been assembled to a cohesive costing report.
To see detailed information about the process (and stages) of development and building, please review the 
Process Diagram.
Questions and answers about the project
Why do these sites need to be upgraded?
The current athletic parks are nearing the end of their useful life, while ongoing operating costs continue to increase. Additionally, research shows that these types of sport facilities are needed to accommodate the growing needs of Calgary's athletic community - see the 10 Year Strategic Plan for Sport Development and Enhancement and the Recreation Amenity Gap Analysis Report.
Calgarians have been very vocal about the importance of sport and recreation activities to their quality of life and the culture of our city.
What will the new parks include?
The proposed plan for Glenmore Athletic Park includes:
COMMUNITY/GATERHING COMPONENTS AND FACILITIES
Cyclo-cross track
4 playgrounds
Sculpture walk (1% art component)
Splash park
Cafe
DEDICATED ON-SITE PARKING
+/- 830 stalls total onsite.
2 ICE ARENAS
NHL rink w/ seating for 200 spectators
NHL rink w/ seating for 500 spectators
Change rooms, concession, office & administration space
4 - lane sprint track
3 POOL BASINS
8 - Lane practice pool – 25m
Teach pool / training pool
Kiddie pool
Change facilities
2 SOFTBALL FIELDS
320' Extended outfield fence & mobile bleachers
1 - 333m INDOOR CYCLING TRACK IN FIELDHOUSE
Bike track
Walking / jogging track
FITNESS SPACE
Weight training (public access)
Multi-purpose rooms (public access)
Administration & T.I. Spaces (sports medicine, etc.)
Group exercise rooms
Climbing wall
7 VOLLEYBALL COURTS (VELODROME INFIELD)
Convert to 7 basketball courts or 14 badminton courts
Available to public
4 – Lane warm up track
7 RECTANGULAR FIELDS
One on track infield w/ spectator seating for 1500, Lights, P.A. system & support buildings
2 field houses/support amenity facilities
Two fields w/ lights & P.A. systems
17 TENNIS COURTS
10 Indoor courts (Tennis Academy)
7 Outdoor courts (Calgary Recreation)
Change facilities, admin. area & pro shop (Tennis Academy)
2 Backboard practice courts (Calgary Recreation)
1 - 400m OUTDOOR TRACK
Seating for 1500 spectators, dedicated jumping & throwing areas
The proposed plan for Foothills Athletic Park includes:
ONSITE COMMUNITY / GATHERING COMPONENTS AND FACILITIES
Cafe / Restaurant
Pedestrian access through site/Pedestrian plaza
Civic & Community spaces & Playground
Integrated Art Wall (1% Art Component)
Outdoor Amphitheater
DEDICATED ON-SITE PARKING
+/- 776 stalls total onsite.
2 ICE ARENAS
NHL rink w/ seating for 200 spectators
Olympic rink w/ seating for 2000 spectators
Change rooms, concession, office & administration space
4 - lane sprint track
3 POOL BASINS
One 10-lane competition w/ seating for 1000 spectators
One teach pool
Dive tank (depth tbd)
Change facilities
1 BASEBALL STADIUM & FIELD
400' outfield fence, spectator grandstand, concession, batting cages & 2 indoor practice bubbles
1 LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD
200' outfield fence, spectator bleachers, clubhouse & batting cages
FITNESS SPACE
Weight training (public access)
Multi-purpose rooms (public access)
Administration & T.I. Spaces (sports medicine, etc.)
Group exercise rooms
Climbing wall
8 VOLLEYBALL COURTS
Convert to 8 basketball courts or 16 badminton courts
Available to public
3 RECTANGULAR FIELDS
Two fields w/ lights and P.A. System
One indoor field w/in indoor track
6 COURTS
All outdoor courts
1 - 400m INDOOR TRACK
Concessions, Change Rooms, Washrooms, Equipment Storage & Area For Seating (Seating Expandable To 7500)
Why is it important to do both of these sites at the same time?
There are two primary reasons for the phasing plan:
1) It will allow The City to continue providing as many athletic amenities as possible because exhausted amenities will only be removed once new amenities are added.
2) It will allow for a conservative capital funding model spread out over multiple years, with the larger capital expenditures near the end of the process. This will provide a longer term for fundraising and financial planning. It should be noted, however, that if a catalyst event or significant capital funding is available sooner than expected, the phasing could be shortened to the extent that it has minimal impact on the availability of athletic amenities.
When will the upgrades be complete?
The general assumption for the Concept Plan implementation assumes a +/- 10 year overall construction timeline. However, development can only start when City funding is allocated. Currently there has been no funding allocated for this project.
How will these athletic parks ensure accessibility to all user groups and demographics?
The parks are designed to be multi-purpose sport and recreation facilities that service all Calgarians. The aquatic centres will continue programming for citizens of all ages and abilities. Green space is being incorporated for fitness and other outdoor activities. It is anticipated the proposed field houses will also provide a wide variety of fitness, recreational, and cultural offerings.
How will this impact my community?
The concept plans as they stand to date, are in the initial stages of a lengthy, multi-step process and so it is difficult to know the extent of impact for communities. However, The City of Calgary is aware of residents’ concerns regarding parking, traffic, accessibility, light pollution, timelines, and more.
Have there been any opportunities for citizens to give their feedback?
In addition to meeting with a number of community associations and sport interest groups, The City has held a number of Open Houses (spring 2010) and Information Sessions (Fall 2011) open to all citizens. The City has recorded all feedback and comments generated from the public events and Sport Calgary.
How much parking space is planned for Glenmore?
Currently, Glenmore Athletic Park is underserviced in regards to available parking. The site presently contains +/- 510 onsite stalls and +/- 160 curbside stalls along 50th Ave and 19th St. The concept plan for Glenmore currently shows an increase of stalls to +/- 830 onsite. This amount correlates to the forecasted parking demand. Whatever the final parking capacity is, it will be determined in consideration of minimizing the impact on surrounding community streets.
This work is going to increase traffic in our neighbourhood. What is being done to address residents' concerns?
The City views the Glenmore Athletic Park upgrade as an opportunity to review traffic in the area and investigate options such as bike lanes. The City is already working with the area Alderman and multiple City operations to ensure a coordinated approach to planning and public consultation.
The plan for Glenmore Athletic Park will increase traffic flow on my street. I provided input at the Open Houses so now what?
We thank you for articulating your concern about residential streets (such as, 15th - 19th St. S.W. & 50th Ave S.W.). Pending Council approval to advance to the next stage (see Process Diagram) The City will be returning to the communities to solicit input specifically pertaining to traffic impact, as well as, possible alternatives. In the meantime, we’ve recorded all feedback and comments and will keep community associations and residents updated as to when these opportunities for input will be available.
If the upgraded parks require more lighting, how will The City ensure "light pollution" doesn't result?
The park upgrades are an opportunity for The City to address light spill and make several lighting improvements. The concept plan currently calls for: new lighting systems that cut off the light that spills outside of the playing surface that is being illuminated; and below street-grade construction of some surfaces. The depression of the playing surfaces makes it difficult for anyone to see the illuminated field of play thus reducing 'reflected' light spill.
Are the tennis courts public? How will they be monitored?
Currently, any outdoor courts on City-owned athletic parks are available for public use. At Glenmore, the tennis courts have been closed due to their poor condition. The intent of the plan is to reconstruct seven outdoor competition capable tennis courts at Glenmore Athletic Park. These courts, like other City-owned tennis courts, can be booked for competitions or lessons, similar to any other recreation or sport amenities on the site. They will be available to the public for use when no other booking is on the site and are first and foremost for public use.
What are the opportunities for stakeholders to provide input and/or stay informed as the plans move forward?
The City will continue to engage citizens as we move forward in this process. There will be input opportunities as the projects move through the various stages of planning and design (See Process Diagram). The concept plan already reflects input gathered at the beginning of the concept phase. The City of Calgary will announce those opportunities as they arise through the community associations, the area aldermanic offices, this website and the Calgary Sport Council. Likewise, these are all sources for staying informed.
