Calgary Multisport Fieldhouse Society Update 2017
CMFS has been working since 2008 to promote the construction of a Multisport Fieldhouse. Calgary is the only major “winter” city in Canada without a fieldhouse facility. Because of our often challenging weather and growing population, indoor sports facilities are greatly needed to serve amateur sport groups and active people of all ages. The proposed facility contains a 400m indoor track, a full-size turf infield, demountable stands, and attached gymnasia.
The City of Calgary has confirmed the Multisport Fieldhouse need on multiple occasions including the City of Calgary/Sport Calgary Strategic Plan for Sport Facility Development & Enhancement. In 2013, a Fieldhouse was confirmed as the first priority to be built in any redevelopment of City lands at Foothills Athletic Park. A Fieldhouse is listed among the highest priority projects in the 2015 Unified List of Unfunded Capital Requirements.
CMFS has engaged the support of 25 amateur sport associations representing approximately 200,000 members in Calgary and throughout Alberta. All agree that improved indoor training & competition space in Calgary is urgently needed. A fieldhouse has tremendous sports tourism potential as a venue for major tournaments and other events.
Athletics Alberta has provided ongoing support for the Multisport Fieldhouse project. Executive Director James Rosnau states:
“Calgary is long overdue for a facility that can properly house both training and competition for track and field. Calgary club membership continues to grow yet there is little to no infrastructure to support this growth. Athletics Alberta continues to support growth of the sport as we are currently working with Calgary tourism to assemble a bid for the 2019/2020 youth and senior National Track and Field championships. In order to support the growth of the sport of Athletics in Calgary we need to have a facility in which athletes can both train and compete. I applaud the fieldhouse society for their continued pursuit of the fieldhouse in Calgary and welcome the opportunity to provide any additional support this for this initiative.
We are pleased that the City is proceeding to evaluate Calgary NEXT and an alternative Plan B to construct sports facilities including a Multisport Fieldhouse. We anticipate the next City report on major sports facilities in early in 2017 and a decision on the best route forward to serve the needs of all potential users.
Any potential location for the Multisport Fieldhouse must be carefully evaluated & compared using the same five major criteria to meet the requirements of amateur sport and the general public:
- Fieldhouse amenities and program requirements
- Public/amateur sport users’ ease of access & parking
- Wide primetime availability for public & amateur sport groups
- Affordable rates & fees and long term guarantees
- Governance model to serve the needs of user groups
Wherever the facility is located, the general public and amateur sports groups must have wide primetime access to the Multisport Fieldhouse at an affordable cost.
We have asked City Council to act with urgency in confirming the location of the Multisport Fieldhouse and capital funding. We don’t want to lose the momentum that has grown to proceed with the Fieldhouse project.
CMFS is continuing to do all it can as a non-profit volunteer run organization to promote the construction of the Multisport Fieldhouse. Moving forward we are committed to involvement in the programming and design details to ensure that the facility serves the needs of user groups.
We will continue to work closely with the City of Calgary and Sport Calgary in support of this long needed facility to benefit athletes of all ages. Thank you to Athletics Alberta and all our supporters.
Please contact us if you would like any further information. Send your inquiry to [email protected]
Check out our website www.calgaryfieldhouse.ca & Twitter @FieldhouseYYC
