The first wave of potential GamePlan recreation investments has been released, with 17 projects making the priority first cut in Calgary.
Wave 1 follows the approval of the GamePlan recreation strategy by Calgary city council back in early 2025, with the Making Waves level of service approved at that time.
Making Waves service, promised equitable facility distribution across Calgary, increased capacity for 35 per cent more swim lessons, 25 per cent more bookable arena hours, 2.5x more fieldhouse and athletic park bookable hours and service increases to match population growth.
Several of the projects are already underway, including the Rocky Ridge Fieldhouse, which broke ground in May 2025, and the Belmont Fieldhouse and library in September. Calgary also moved ahead with funding for projects like the Northeast Athletic Complex.
Ward 5 Coun. Raj Dhaliwal said in December that the funding approval was a big step toward addressing recreation inequity in Calgary.
“Finally, we are getting what we deserve. Enough of the recreation discrimination. This is about people who live in the northeast; we’ve been contributing to the city. The story of two cities east and west of Deerfoot (Trail) has to end, and this is just the start of it, with recreation,” he said at the time.
Other projects, like the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse and the nearby athletic park redevelopment, are already underway, though the fieldhouse is only in the planning stage and not fully funded.
The City of Calgary said that the Wave 1 projects were selected “through a consistent, city-wide and data-driven prioritization process. Projects were assessed based on facility condition and risk, population growth, access, equity and readiness,” read an emailed response to questions.
“Wave 1 focuses on system stabilization by renewing aging facilities, addressing the most urgent service gaps and expanding capacity where demand is highest. These are projects that are most critical and most ready to move into planning, design or construction.”
The City said that Wave 1 is a long-term roadmap, and it doesn’t necessarily indicate approval of funding.
“Projects will move forward only when planning and design are complete, and funding is approved by Council,” the City’s response read.
The 17 projects are detailed in the graphic below.
Calgary West Soccer Centre relocation
One of the projects that hasn’t seen a lot of attention during the GamePlan conversation is the potential relocation of the Shane Homes West Calgary Soccer Dome, located in Bearspaw.
That facility is operated by the Calgary Minor Soccer Association. According to CMSA, the facility serves more than 500,000 guests annually, and is used by baseball, field hockey, football, lacrosse, rugby, and even ultimate frisbee groups.
The potential future relocation is tied to the development of a new water treatment facility that the City of Calgary would like to have next to the Bearspaw water treatment plant. They said it may include land leased for the west Calgary soccer dome.
“No decisions have been made about whether the soccer dome would need to relocate. Planning is ongoing, and the project team is still assessing options and timelines,” the City of Calgary said.
“We have been working closely with Calgary Minor Soccer Association to share information as soon as possible and discuss potential impacts and contingency planning, if needed. Our priority is reducing disruption and supporting service continuity for our partners and their users.”
CMSA executive director Carlo Bruneau said that they’ve been working with the City of Calgary over the past year to find a long-term path for the west Calgary soccer dome.
“GamePlan rightly highlights the significant recreation infrastructure gap facing Calgary, with soccer identified as one of the most underserved sports relative to the number of participants who rely on it,” he said.
“Losing an existing year-round facility would run counter to the broader goal of improving service levels and expanding access to recreation opportunities.”
He said that as Calgary moves toward a population of two million residents, investments in community amenities such as indoor sports facilities will become increasingly important to supporting sustainable growth, healthy lifestyles, and the overall quality of life of Calgarians.
The City of Calgary said that Waves 2 and 3 of the GamePlan strategy will focus on longer-term growth and improving equity across Calgary by reducing service gaps and duplication.
All unfunded projects will have to be reviewed annually with the November capital priorities budget submissions.
