Construction on a new recreation centre in Chestermere officially broke ground on Aug. 19, with City representatives, community groups, local recreation organizers and members of the project team coming together to turn the sod on the future home of the Civic Recreation Centre.
The new facility will be located just off of Merganser Drive, in Chestermere’s new community of Dawson’s Landing.
“Today, as council officially turns the sod and kicks off the construction of the brand-new Civic Recreation Centre, we are launching much more than just the beginning of a new building,” Mayor Marshall Chalmers stated in a City press release.
According to the City’s release, the $39.5 million project is being financed through government grants, offsite levies paid by developers, and donations.
The building has been designed to accommodate a range of activities and ages, including a FIFA-sized turf soccer field, a 6,200 square-foot fitness centre, a 1,100 square-foot spin studio, and a 2,600 square-foot multi-purpose studio space.
The venue is also set to include two change rooms with 150 lockers each, eight 25-person capacity rooms, and an additional 2,800 square-foot multi-use area. The new build will also feature a lobby space, spectator seating, and a walking area.
Project plans also include a hard court and ice rink, according to the release, as well as a covered pergola, transit plaza, and parking lot.
“It was important when we started this project to respond to the site and context of Chestermere – to make sure it’s a building that seems like it belongs in Chestermere,” said David Wittman, partner with Gibbs Gage Architecture, via the release.
“The building is really meant to reflect the dynamic and inclusive nature of the facility, and it’s intended to be more than just a sports facility – it’s meant to be a civic node,” he continued.
Once complete, the new space will provide plenty of room for various programs and sports, according to the City, providing a sense of excitement for community members.
“We’re excited to have an indoor facility that will be available to the youth in Chestermere because we are very interested in running programs year-round, which we can’t currently do,” said Matt Rainey, president of Chestermere Viking Athletic Association – a junior rugby group in Chestermere.
The project has been in the works since 2014, and extensive work has been done on various fronts, ranging from community consultation to site planning and concept feasibility work. Chestermere City council approved a site for the project in 2020, followed by schematic designs in June of this year.
Mayor Chalmers commended the community for all the work that has been put into the project thus far.
“Thousands of residents, staff, community groups, past councils and consultants have provided detailed feedback to the municipality to set a clear path forward for what our community needs in terms of recreation,” he said in the release. “And while there may be many amenities we want, we are pursuing what we need, and we are pursuing it in a sustainable way.”
The new recreation centre is expected to open in the late summer or early fall of 2023.
For more information about the project, visit Chestermere.ca/civiccentre
