Calgary fieldhouse to be a ‘catalyst’ for Foothills Athletic Park redevelopment
Global News
The City of Calgary has set aside $109 million for a multi-sport fieldhouse, but a new committee will need to advocate for funding from other levels of government.
The City of Calgary is shifting its focus for the Foothills Athletic Park redevelopment project with the creation of a new committee tasked with getting a multi-sport fieldhouse built in the area.
The Foothills Athletic Park Redevelopment Assessment Committee got an update on the work on Monday morning.
City administration told committee the fieldhouse would serve as a “catalyst” for future redevelopment of the area.
A new committee, chaired by Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian will be formed on Feb. 14 and will be focused on advancing a multi-sport fieldhouse.
“It really does require a first mover, and that’s what the city is planning to do with moving forward with that fieldhouse,” Mian told reporters. “A lot of that private development, in terms of condos and other things that will develop around there, will come once that public investment is there and there’s attraction to living in the area.”
The city’s plan to revamp the area around the Foothills Athletic Park and McMahon Stadium began in 2019, which was followed by a conceptual plan that was given council approval in 2021.
The conceptual plan calls for a transformation of the area into a vibrant community that would include athletic facilities, 2,500 residential units, commercial and retail space and renovations to McMahon Stadium.
According to Mian, the city can’t move forward on the overall redevelopment without first investing in the fieldhouse.