Calgary Charts Course for Recreation: "Making Waves" to Transform City Facilities Amidst Growth and Aging Infrastructure
Calgarians looking to connect with their city's vast network of recreational opportunities now have a clearer view, thanks to the City of Calgary's updated Recreation Facilities Map. This comprehensive digital resource, last refreshed on September 1, 2025, details names, addresses, and available amenities for a wide array of public spaces, from bustling arenas north of the Bow to serene golf courses down Deerfoot Trail.
The interactive map provides granular information for both City-operated facilities and other non-private recreational venues across Calgary. It reveals the sheer scale of the city's commitment to play and fitness: over 50 recreation facilities are directly owned and operated by the City, complemented by an additional 190 City-owned amenities managed by third-party partners. This network includes 12 arenas housing a total of 19 indoor rinks, 13 athletic parks catering to diverse sports, and seven municipal golf courses spread across five distinct sites.
A Bold Vision for Tomorrow
However, simply knowing where these facilities are is only part of the story. Calgary's recreation landscape is at a pivotal juncture, facing the dual pressures of an aging infrastructure and a rapidly expanding population. Many of the core facilities that Calgarians have loved for decades, some built over 35 years ago, are nearing the end of their useful lives and are increasingly costly to maintain. This pressing need for sustainable investment spurred City Council to approve the ambitious "GamePLAN" recreation facility strategy on February 25, 2025.
The "GamePLAN" is a forward-looking 25-year blueprint designed to address these challenges head-on. The approved "Making Waves" option, the most extensive of the proposals, envisions a significant transformation of public recreation. This scenario is projected to require an annual investment of $200 million to $250 million, setting a clear direction for future budgets. The expected outcomes are substantial: a 40 percent increase in swimming lesson availability per capita, a 25 percent boost in bookable hours at ice sheets, and an impressive 2.5 times increase in bookable hours for indoor fields and athletic parks.
Navigating Costs and Priorities
While the "Making Waves" strategy garnered significant support from the Community Development Committee and ultimately City Council, it wasn't without its critics. Councillor Andre Chabot, a seasoned voice from Ward 10, expressed reservations about the high cost. He voted against "Making Waves," advocating instead for the "Staying Afloat" option, a less concentrated level of facility development that would have maintained existing facilities and offered modest increases to certain recreational opportunities. Chabot's concerns underscore the delicate balance City Council must strike between ambitious city-building and fiscal prudence, especially with such significant capital outlays.
Ultimately, the approval of "Making Waves" signals a strong commitment to revitalizing and expanding Calgary's recreation system for generations to come, aiming to ensure equitable access and robust programming across the city. As Calgarians look to access these enhanced facilities, the Recreation Facilities Map, available through the City of Calgary's Open Data Catalogue, remains a vital tool, promoting transparency and fostering innovation by making crucial civic data readily accessible to everyone.
