Foothills Fieldhouse
Priority Capital Projects Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse and Athletic Park redevelopment
The City is redeveloping Foothills Athletic Park, that includes the construction of a new multisport fieldhouse. This reimagined site will offer Calgarians year-round opportunities to play, practice and compete in a variety of sports. It will also provide Calgary with the capacity to host major sporting events, strengthening The City's commitment to active lifestyles and a vibrant sports culture.
Project overview
Following City Council’s direction to build a new multi-sport fieldhouse, The City has chosen Foothills Athletic Park as its location. (see site overview and location section for details).
Several amenities in the Foothills Athletic Park are past their useful life and need replacing to ensure the Athletic Park continues to meet Calgarians’ needs now and into the future. Locating the fieldhouse in the athletic park created an opportunity for a comprehensive master plan — now in progress — to reimagine the park as a multi-service hub that supports year-round sports, hosting major sporting events and other community services.
This project aligns with Council priorities including the Winter City Strategy and The City’s Sport for Life Policy emphasizing sport's role in a vibrant, healthy community.
The Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse will offer versatile spaces for field sports, court sports and athletics. Key features include a FIFA-sized field, a World Athletics-standard track and more.
Select images to expand and view concept renderings of the multisport fieldhouse.
Project updates
Fall 2024
The Foothills Athletic Park Master Plan is now underway, guiding the location of the new Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse and other recreation amenities, along with a concept design for the fieldhouse. A consultant has been selected following our Request for Proposals (RFP) earlier this year, and they will assist The City to move the project forward.
Building upon previous studies, including the 2023 Amenity Refinement Study and the 2021 Foothills + McMahon Concept Plan, the master plan will be shared for public feedback in 2025. Stay tuned for updates and engagement opportunities.
Upcoming work
To enhance safety, promote community recreation and support the wellbeing of Calgarians, we will be removing non-operational amenities (spectator seating, concessions, ticket booths, washrooms, the outfield wall and lighting) around Foothills Stadium in the coming months. This essential step will help us prepare the area for future developments that benefit our community and ensure the continued safe use of the baseball diamond, which will remain operational until the area is needed for construction.
We recognize that the Foothills Stadium has been a valued community hub and a home for many community groups over the years. The decision to decommission infrastructure is based on key factors including health and safety for staff and park users, lifecycle considerations, and current building condition. This change positions the athletic park for its next chapter as part of the Foothills Athletic Park Master Plan, continuing to help Calgarians meaningfully enjoy an active lifestyle and vibrate sports culture.
In the next few months, Calgarians will see activity happening around the stadium as we remove the unused amenities. Work is expected to be complete by spring 2025 so Calgarians can safely enjoy the ball diamond next spring.
Site overview and location
The Foothills Athletic Park spans 46 acres and is bordered by 24 Avenue N.W. to the north, Crowchild Trail N.W. to the east, University Drive N.W. to the west and McMahon Stadium (University of Calgary) to the south. Current facilities include the Foothills Aquatic Centre, Father David Bauer and Norma Bush Arenas.
The site is also in close proximity to McMahon Stadium, the University of Calgary and major thoroughfares and LRT services that provide access for Calgarians and visitors.
Timeline
Expand the stages for more details.
Sept. 2021: Council received the Foothills & McMahon Concept Plan.
July 2023: Council approved Fieldhouse Amenity Study.
Sept.: Commencement of technical studies in preparation for redevelopment of the athletic park and detailed design of the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse .
Late 2024: Removal of non-operational amenities at Foothills Stadium.
Development of Foothills Athletic Park Master Plan and implementation and phasing strategy (construction is pending funding approval).
Development of the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse concept design (construction is pending funding approval).
Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse detailed design to begin (construction is pending funding).
Start construction of the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse and athletic park redevelopment (pending funding).
Doors open to the community for new Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse and other amenities as part of the Foothills athletic park redevelopment (pending funding).
Investment
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The City has allocated $109 million to advance the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse project, including the athletic park's master plan and the initial fieldhouse design. This funding paves the way for additional support from governments and the private sector to achieve shared goals.
The estimated timeline for completing the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse is five years from when funding becomes available. Redevelopment work at Foothills Athletic Park is already underway with master planning set to begin in 2024.
Benefits to Calgarians
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Community recreation
The Foothills Athletic Park is key to Calgary's Sport for Life Policy, enhancing health and well-being by expanding recreational spaces. The redevelopment will address gaps in sports facilities, create a hub for local activities—including the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse—and foster community engagement.
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The future of sport
The park redevelopment will support a broad range of sports, from recreational to high-performance levels, while strengthening Calgary’s reputation as a leading destination for sports tourism and training. The Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse will serve as an inclusive community hub with accessible amenities.
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Economic growth
The Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse will attract national and international events, boosting sport tourism and creating about 1,500 jobs. It is projected to contribute $218 million to Calgary’s GDP and generate between $20 million and $63.6 million annually in economic activity, benefiting various industries.*
*Provided by Tourism Calgary and the Calgary Amenity Refinement Study.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Calgary need a multisport fieldhouse?
Calgary has had a gap in indoor practice and play space for decades. Our city is a well-established training hub for high-performance winter sports but lacks a dedicated indoor facility for track and field, rectangular field sports and court sports. In addition to serving the broader community, the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse will provide training and competition for high-performance athletes beyond the winter sports Calgary is traditionally known for.
How long has The City been planning the fieldhouse?
The idea for the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse was developed in 2010 as part of the Glenmore and Foothills Athletic Park Redevelopment Concept Plan. It was originally imagined as a multisport and training space that could accommodate many uses and convert easily for competitions and events. The 2010 concept included an indoor soccer field surrounded by an eight-lane, 400-metre track, eight multisport court spaces, jumping and throwing areas and seating for up to 10,000 (500 permanent).
In 2018, The City assessed operating costs and potential revenue based on projected users of the 2010 concept. Since 2010, the sports and recreation landscape in Calgary has changed. Facilities have been built or decommissioned, design specifications have changed, and sport needs and preferences have evolved.
When did Council approve the project?
Council received an updated development Foothills + McMahon Concept Plan in 2021. On July 4, 2023, Council also approved the Amenity Refinement Study that outlines the amenity mix for the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse.
Why did The City choose the Foothills Athletic Park for this project?
The Foothills Athletic Park is a central hub for recreational and competitive sports, boasting four sport fields, a little league baseball diamond, tennis courts, a 400-meter track, and the iconic Foothills Stadium. To ensure this facility continues to meet Calgarians’ needs, many structures within the park need to be renovated or replaced. This will coincide with the construction of the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse. This redevelopment underscores Calgary's dedication to promoting healthy, active lifestyles and nurturing a vibrant sporting culture for generations.
What is a master plan and why do we need one?
A master plan creates a long-term vision for the project and area to guide future redevelopment. It helps create a realistic financial strategy to inform the project budget request that will be submitted in the 2027-2030 budget process.
The master plan also includes:
- A description of how the land and buildings will be used and the best layout for development.
- Guidance for future land use decisions and development permits.
- A vision that aligns with City land use policies, requirements and other plans like the Local Area Plan.
- A conceptual design for integrating programs and services at the site.
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