Multisport Fieldhouse Committee aims to create a world-class destination for athletes and community building

The new Multisport Fieldhouse Committee held their inaugural meeting today as the group pursues the vision for Calgary’s first community-centered, competition-capable multisport fieldhouse.

Designed to be a welcoming, inclusive and barrier-free space, the state-of-the-art Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse will support a range of field sports, court sports and athletics. It will include a FIFA-sized soccer field, track and field centre, court spaces, fitness centre and multipurpose rooms.

“Calgary remains the only major Canadian city without a fieldhouse,” said Councillor Mian, Chair of the Multisport Fieldhouse Committee. “The Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse will address a long-standing need for year-round community practice and play space while enabling Calgary to host national and international competitions.”

The City has earmarked $109 million towards this priority capital project. This represents a significant opportunity for other levels of government, the private sector and public institutions to leverage available funding towards shared outcomes.

The Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse will enable Calgary to host national and international sport competitions, stimulating and diversifying the economy through increased sport tourism and job creation. It will contribute to a dynamic mix of athletics, education, business, research and entrepreneurship and catalyze future redevelopment of, and investment in, the Foothills Athletic Park and McMahon Stadium lands.

The City is currently engaging with a cross-section of future users, sport agencies and governing sport bodies to better understand needs, usership and event hosting requirements. This work is part of an Amenity Refinement Study to validate assumptions around use, operations and affordability.

“Since the original concept plan for the fieldhouse was developed in 2010, the sport and recreation landscape in Calgary has changed,” said Heather Johnson, Director of Recreation & Social Programs at The City of Calgary. “We want to ensure the amenity mix and layout for the fieldhouse serves as many sport and community groups as possible while minimizing required tax support.”

The timeline to complete the development of the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse is estimated at five years from the time total funding is secured.

For more information, visit calgary.ca/fieldhouse.