The City of Calgary, YMCA Calgary and the Calgary Public Library celebrate the opening of a new community hub in Calgary’s southeast

On January 14^th 2019, The City of Calgary, YMCA Calgary and the Calgary Public Library will open the Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton to the public. Amenities available immediately include the fitness area, gymnasia, library, art studios, theatre, daycare, multipurpose/community rooms and two arenas. The competition and recreational pool areas will open on March 1^st, 2019.

The City of Calgary oversaw the planning, design and construction of the $193 million, 330,000 square foot facility at 4995 Market Street S.E. – a vibrant and rapidly-growing urban centre. Construction of the facility began in the spring of 2016. The new facility is operated by YMCA Calgary, avoiding a need for ongoing taxpayer-funded operational support.

“I’m very excited about the opening of this outstanding hub for the community,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “We knew that there was a gap in service delivery in areas like Seton where the population is growing rapidly, and this is a tremendous response to that need. The Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton will be providing excellent leisure, recreational and community amenities for generations of Calgarians to come.”

“We are tremendously happy to partner with The City of Calgary to bring this centre of community to life in service of Calgarians, particularly in the southeast,” says Shannon Doram, President and CEO of YMCA Calgary. “Our team of dedicated staff and volunteers are excited to welcome their neighbours to belong, grow, thrive and lead in this amazing new facility.”

“The Library is thrilled to be opening its 21^st location in Seton,” said Bill Ptacek, CEO of the Calgary Public Library. “The features and programs at this library directly reflect this growing and vibrant community. From program spaces, to meeting rooms, to fresh collections, and a wonderful new children’s area – the Seton Library is a space for connection, collaboration and discovery.”

The facility features:

50m, 10 lane competition & water polo pool designed to Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) certification standards
Competition diving springboards and platforms, as well as a spectator viewing area
Water park including a children’s pool, play structure, lazy river and two waterslides
Calgary’s first FlowRider surf simulator
Hot tubs and steam room
2 multi-purpose ice rinks
3 gymnasia with multi-purpose flooring
Fitness centre with cardio and strength training equipment
Fitness/aerobics studios
200m running/walking track
Large and small rooms for use as studios, classrooms and meeting spaces
25,000 sq. ft. full service library
Youth centre with dedicated space for youth activities and programs
Art making, studio and gallery space
250-seat theatre
Childcare/child minding
Food services
Physiotherapy/medical clinic

Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton is the last of four new recreation facilities to open in once underserved areas of the city, totaling a $480 million investment by The City of Calgary. The Remington YMCA in Quarry Park and the Great Plains Recreation Facility opened to the public in the fall of 2016, and the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge opened February 2018. Together, these four facilities provide convenient access to recreation opportunities and support the important role recreation plays in building complete communities.

The Seton facility includes a public artwork titled The Nest by Donald Lipski. Inspired by the site as a place of nurture, growth, meeting and discovery, the art features a bird’s nest, with different flocks of birds flying toward it. Calgarians chose the Great Blue Heron, Swainson’s Hawk and Great Horned Owl as the subjects of the artwork, which are familiar to and loved by the Seton community. The artist worked as a part of the facility’s design team, ensuring the artwork was integrated into the building’s design and construction.

For more information on Calgary’s recreation projects, visit calgary.ca/recreationprojects.