New Seton Recreation Facility celebrates the start of construction

Over the past few months, construction crews have been busy preparing the site of the new Seton Recreation Facility for the start of construction on the actual building.

To commemorate the start of construction, Mayor Naheed Nenshi joined special guests on site to see the work that has happened so far and to celebrate this milestone.

“Recreation facilities are special public spaces that provide opportunity for every Calgarian,” said Mayor Nenshi. “The Seton Recreation Facility is another example of the promise of Calgary where every citizen can live a great active and creative life. The new Seton facility is much-needed and will serve many thousands of Calgarians for many years to come.”

The approximately 330,000 square foot facility located in southeast Calgary will include amenities such as two multi-purpose ice rinks, sport and leisure pools, an integrated dive tank, a FlowRider surf simulator, three gymnasiums with multi-purpose flooring, a fitness centre, an art-making studio and gallery space, daycare and child-minding, a performance theatre space, a physiotherapy/medical clinic, and a 25,000 square foot full service library. When it opens in 2018, the City-built, City-owned facility will be operated by YMCA Calgary through a partnership model.

The cost of the Seton Recreation Facility is $193 million. Funding for all four new recreation facilities in Calgary has come from various sources. This includes $50 million from The City of Calgary’s Community and Recreation Levy and $150 million from the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).

“Our government is committed to moving our province forward, and ensuring municipalities have the resources they need to build stronger, more dynamic communities for Alberta families. Projects such as the Seton facility create jobs and are an immediate boost to the economy, and we are proud to invest in recreation infrastructure that enhances quality of life, and bring members of the community together,” said Danielle Larivee, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The new Seton facility is the last of four new recreation facilities in development by The City of Calgary to meet our growing city’s need for convenient access to recreation opportunities and support the important role recreation plays in building complete communities. Each facility is being designed to meet the specific needs of each community, with the vision and proposed amenities determined through extensive engagement with Calgarians, community leaders, and numerous sport and cultural advisory groups.

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