Priority Capital Projects Foothills Fieldhouse

The City has plans for a multisport fieldhouse to be built at Foothills Athletic Park, near McMahon Stadium. The project is a priority capital project that will allow Calgary to host major sporting events.

The project

The multi-sport fieldhouse will be an indoor facility for athletics and other sports. The Foothills Athletic Park multisport fieldhouse has been identified as a priority for Calgary and represents a keystone facility for The City, aligning with the Recreation Master Plan to address an existing gap for indoor practice and play space. It will also allow Calgary to host sporting events that will attract tourists and support local business.

The proposed location for the multisport fieldhouse would be on the grounds of Foothills Athletic Park, which is located at 2424 University Dr. N.W., directly west of Crowchild Tr. and south of 24th Ave. N.W.

Proposed features of the new fieldhouse include:

One 400-metre, 8 lane indoor track.
Jumping and throwing areas.
One rectangular field located inside the track for multiple activities, including field sports, batting cages, baseball training, tennis or golf hitting cages.
Eight basketball courts that can change into 12 volleyball courts or 16 badminton courts.
Space for up to 10,000 viewers in the gymnasium courts.
Storage rooms and washrooms.
Fitness and weight training facilities.
Multi-purpose rooms.
Administration and operational support space.
Change rooms and related amenities.
Outdoor playground.
Parking.

Benefits to Calgarians

Job Creation

Based on Infrastructure Calgary’s economic impact assessment model, the capital investment in The Foothills Fieldhouse project will contribute approximately $218 million to the GDP and generate 1,500 full-time equivalent jobs.

The project supports the goal of improving and diversifying Calgary’s economy.

Invest in Calgarians

This project will provide year-round indoor practice and play space for Calgary’s recreational sport community, act as a training facility for amateur athletes, and accommodate current and anticipated demand from both sport organizations and recreational users locally and citywide.

Economic Growth

The Foothills Fieldhouse and Athletic Park would create opportunities to host sport related events that would benefit tourism and support our hospitality industry and local business. Tourism Calgary projected the estimated annual economic activity to be $8.26 to $20.65 million.

Investment

The cost of the multi-sport fieldhouse is estimated at $285.8 M over a five-year period, including inflation. The timeline to complete the project is estimated at five years from the time funding becomes available.

Project background

The Foothills Athletic Park was built in the 1960s and 1970s and includes numerous surrounding facilities. While the athletic park and McMahon lands are still heavily used, the site never had a master plan and facilities were simply added over time.

A concept plan is in development for the Foothills Athletic Park and McMahon stadium lands, focusing on creating a vision for the lands that recognizes the tremendous opportunity of a potential new fieldhouse, improvements to McMahon stadium, and the growing trend toward entertainment focused mixed-use districts anchored by sports facilities. The concept plan will include siting for the fieldhouse as part of its work.

Timeline

A timeline for design and construction has not been established. The Fieldhouse has been identified as a high priority for The City and Calgarians. The City remains committed to the development of the Foothills Athletic Park upon approval of full project funding.

Other projects

Event Centre

Calgary’s new Event Centre will solidify Calgary as a major destination for visitors from around the world and become a gathering place and key cornerstone in the Culture + Entertainment district.

BMO Centre Expansion

The expansion of the venue, projected to be completed in 2024, will provide Calgary with a world class event and convention venue that will attract large national and international conventions and conferences.

Arts Commons Transformation

Executed in two phases, ACT is the development of a new facility (the Road House), and the revitalization of the Resident House which is currently home to six resident companies. This will ensure Arts Commons remains a key contributor to our city’s social, economic, cultural and intellectual life and well-being.