Rocky Ridge recreation facility takes next step forward

Northwest residents have a new reason to celebrate – construction on the Rocky Ridge recreation facility is about start. 

Community and council members at the ceremony on Oct. 15.

On Wednesday, Oct. 15, The City and its project partners gathered with community members to commemorate the exciting milestone. Over the past few months, crews have been preparing the site for building construction. This included stripping and grading of the land and preparing for an enhanced wetland.  

Now that the groundwork phase has wrapped up, local residents can expect to see the facility structure take shape soon.

New rec centre operated by YMCA

When complete, the approximately 285,000 square foot facility will include amenities such as two ice rinks, sport and leisure pools, a gymnasium and fitness centre, an art-making studio and gallery space, childcare and child-minding and a open-concept library. The City-built, City-owned facility will be operated by YMCA Calgary through a partnership model.

Calgarians determine amenities at each facility

The new Rocky Ridge facility is one of four new recreation facilities in development by The City of Calgary to meet our growing city’s need for convenient access to recreation opportunities. It supports the important role recreation plays in building complete communities. 

Each facility is being designed to meet the specific needs of the community, with the vision and proposed amenities determined through extensive engagement with Calgarians, community leaders and numerous sport and cultural advisory groups.

Learn more about the four facilities.

Submitted by Karen Merrick, Community and Neighbourhood Services 

New Central Library design details unveiled

On Sept. 23, the final design details of Calgary’s New Central Library were shared at a media event hosted by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC).

The event featured speakers from the three organizations involved in the project - The City of Calgary, the Calgary Public Library and the CMLC, the project’s developer.

The architectural design team of Snøhetta + DIALOG showcased the library’s features through a 3-D animation, illustrating how the input provided by more than 16,000  Calgarians over the past two years has been incorporated into the library’s design, amenities and function.

Today’s release of the design marks a significant milestone in the delivery of the project. Calgarians can access the 3D rendering of the design online at calgarymlc.ca.

Library by design

Planning for the New Central Library began in 2004 as the institution approached its centennial with City Council's $40 million commitment towards the project.

In 2011, Council further paved the road toward a New Central Library by directing reductions in the provincial property tax toward a new Community Investment Fund earmarked for financing community infrastructure such as libraries and recreation centres. 

An investment in community

In 2013, Council committed $135 million from the Community Investment Fund toward the New Central Library. The Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) funds the remaining $70 million required for the project’s total $245 million cost.

The library will be located at the centre of the East Village corridor –positioned between the Glenbow Museum, Fort Calgary, the Epcor Centre, and the new National Music Centre. It will be a landmark building that exemplifies design excellence and environmental sustainability; a community space that fosters thought, collaboration and dialogue, and versatile venue for public art, performances, cultural enrichment and innovation.

Partnering on the project

The City of Calgary is proud to partner with the Calgary Public Library and CMLC in bringing this project to life.

The New Central Library is anticipated to open in 2018. For more information visit http://calgarymlc.ca.

Submitted by Cathy Davis, Strategic Services, Community Services and Protective Services