Rocky Ridge Athletic Park construction begins with $25.1M investment
Northwest Calgary recreation site to be completed by fall 2026
A new athletic complex in northwest Calgary is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Construction has begun on the Rocky Ridge Athletic Park as part of a $25.1-million investment in the city's recreational sports scene, the city announced Monday.
The park is slated to include two competition-sized turf sports fields, in addition to dedicated parking, field lighting, washrooms and landscaping.
The development is designed to improve access to recreation in Calgary's northwest communities.
"The Rocky Ridge Athletic Park is a clear example of how we are planning for growth and responding to the needs of our communities," said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek in a media release. "It's a smart and necessary step for the future of Calgary, ensuring we create high-quality spaces where families, athletes and community groups can come together, stay active and thrive."
The athletic park is located across from the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge, which held the title of world's largest YMCA facility upon its opening in 2018 before being usurped by Calgary's Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton the following year.
The announcement comes well over a decade after the project's initial approval by city council in 2012. It was one of five projects under the city's revised capital investment strategy approved in 2021.
The athletic complex is set to include a regional field house alongside the facility's athletic park, with the field house expected to be designed and constructed when further funding becomes available, according to the city.
The Rocky Ridge Athletic Park is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
Construction of the athletic park is part of the city's "GamePlan" public recreation strategy, which aims to build 43 athletic park fields for a total of 89 across Calgary by 2050.
The Rocky Ridge Athletic Park will offer year-round recreation opportunities upon its completion, and will be available for bookings through the same booking system for accessing other athletic parks operated by the city.
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"The demand for more soccer fields in this city has been loud and clear," said Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp. "We've heard from families, from local soccer clubs, and from young players who just want the chance to practise and compete close to home. This park is our answer. These new fields will directly address the shortage of available space in Ward 1 and citywide, giving our growing northwest communities the quality facilities they've been asking for."
The project is expected to create 100 full-time equivalent jobs and contribute $11 million to the city's GDP, according to projections by Infrastructure Calgary's economic impact assessment model.
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