Calgary, AB,
01
February
2018
|
11:40
America/Denver

The City of Calgary, YMCA Calgary and the Calgary Public Library open a new community hub in Calgary’s northwest

Today, The City of Calgary, YMCA Calgary and the Calgary Public Library celebrate the grand opening of the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge.

Designed and built by The City of Calgary and operated by YMCA Calgary, the facility is the third of four new recreation facilities to open in underserved areas of Calgary as part of a $480 million investment by The City of Calgary to improve the delivery of service. The result is a new community hub in Calgary’s northwest, offering a blend of leisure, recreational and community amenities, including a unique self-service branch of the Calgary Public Library

“I’m thrilled that this beautiful facility is now open for Calgarians,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “The Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge is an important part of providing much-needed recreation opportunities in northwest Calgary, and it’s part of a larger commitment to provide amenities across Calgary to meet our growing city’s needs. This facility will be an important hub for the community for generations to come.”

Construction of the facility began in March of 2015 and soft-opened to the public on January 15, 2018. The City of Calgary oversaw the planning, design and construction of the 284,000 square foot facility, representing an investment of $192 million.

“We’re very happy to continue our partnership with The City of Calgary to make a wide range of community and recreation services available to Calgarians,” says Shannon Doram, President and CEO of YMCA Calgary. “Our membership sales in the past few months have surpassed our expectations – the City’s decision to bring a new facility in the Northwest was very well-founded.”

The finished facility sits within a natural park with views of the city and mountains, tucked between an existing hill that reaches Calgary’s highest natural elevation and a reconstructed wetland. It reflects extensive community research and engagement and was designed with the specific needs of the surrounding communities in mind.

The facility features:

  • a 25 meter, eight lane competition pool with viewing area
  • leisure pool with a wave system and waterslide
  • hot tub and steam room
  • competition and leisure ice surfaces
  • three full gymnasia
  • a fitness centre and exercise studios
  • a running track
  • art-making studio space
  • childcare and child-minding
  • food services
  • a 250-seat theatre
  • a physiotherapy and medical clinic
  • a unique self-serve library

“We are excited for residents of the Rocky Ridge community to try the new library in the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge” says Bill Ptacek, CEO of Calgary Public Library. “It’s an express library experience focused on convenience – the first library of its kind in Calgary to operate on a self-service model. This is a starting point for the Library with this new service model and we will continue to develop it as we learn more how people use it. Our goal is to employ this model throughout the city as opportunities arise.”

The Remington YMCA opened to the public on September 10, 2016 in Calgary’s Southeast. The Great Plains Recreation Facility, a multi-purpose arena and community space also in the southeast, opened on September 6, 2016. The final facility, at Seton, is scheduled to open in early 2019.

For more information, please visit calgary.ca/recreationprojects.

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