Forest Lawn Civic Centre
Forest Lawn Civic Centre
A new community hub bringing recreation, culture and services together in Greater Forest Lawn.
Project overview
The City is developing a new Civic Centre site in Forest Lawn that will support recreation, arts and culture and community programs. These services play an important role in creating vibrant communities, promoting health and well-being, fostering social connections, and enhancing quality of life. The Forest Lawn Civic Centre will be a key community hub for residents and visitors to the area, with a mix of indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, an arts and culture centre, a fire station and library.
The Centre will replace aging facilities and combine existing services with new ones. This will address service gaps in Greater Forest Lawn, a diverse community that has historically been underserved, particularly in arts and culture programming.
Public engagement in 2022 helped inform the master plan. More information about this engagement can be found on the project Engage Portal.
Phased approach
Phase 1 - Fire station and outdoor amenities
- A new five-bay fire station to replace the existing station that is at its useful lifespan.
- Sports courts
- Skate park
- Recreation fields
Phase 2 - Recreation facilities and site improvement
- Recreation and aquatics facility featuring a fitness centre, gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, and community spaces.
- Calgary Public Library
- Arts and Culture hub
- Other civic programs and services
- Parks and green spaces
- Site improvements and open space amenities for gathering and cultural activities
Site overview and location
The site is in Forest Lawn between 14 Avenue S.E. and 8 Avenue S.E., and between 44 Street S.E. and 52 Street S.E. It covers approximately 22 acres and is close to the City of Calgary's 17 Avenue Main Streets initiative and the planned 52 Street S.E. BRT route.
Project update
The City is advancing the land use redesignation for the Phase 2 site.
Land use redesignation is a standard and required step in the planning process. It establishes how land may be used and helps ensure future development aligns with City policies and surrounding land uses.
Applications are reviewed through the City’s formal planning process.
For more information, visit: developmentmap.calgary.ca.
What happens next
The project will continue to move through the City’s planning and approvals process. This includes land use redesignation, followed by future stages such as design, implementation planning and construction.
Projects of this scale are delivered over multiple phases. Progression to future phases will be subject to approvals, funding and project priorities.
Information about the project will continue to be shared as it progresses, and updates will be provided at key milestones.
Timeline
Expand the stages for more details.
Initial feasibility work completed to explore options for a future civic centre
- Two phases of stakeholder and public engagement completed
- Input used to develop and refine preliminary design concepts
- Ongoing work to develop a long-term plan for the site
- The master plan will guide future development and phasing
- Advancing concept planning to refine the site layout, confirm program needs and support the next stages of design and approvals
- Preparing a land use redesignation application
- This enables the project to move forward through formal planning approvals
- Detailed design work will further define site layout, buildings and public spaces
- Will be informed by previous planning and technical requirements
· Construction will be delivered in phases, subject to funding and approvals
· New facilities and spaces will open to the public over time as construction is completed
Benefit to Calgarians
- Create a central community hub in Greater Forest Lawn with recreation, library, arts and culture and community programs for people of all ages and abilities.
- Provide safe, accessible and inclusive services that reflect the needs of the area’s diverse communities.
- Support youth, artists and community groups through flexible, multi-use spaces and programming.
- Help address service gaps and improve access to recreation, library, arts and cultural amenities in Greater Forest Lawn.