Westside Recreation Centre unveils $180-million expansion plan, but requires funding

Westside Recreation Centre is looking to nearly double its size, with a proposed $180-million expansion aimed at easing growing demand for pools, sports courts and ice time.

The southwest Calgary facility on Tuesday unveiled an ambitious proposal that would add roughly 180,000 square feet of recreation space to the 26-year-old building. The plans detail a complete revamp of the aquatic amenities — adding two, six-lane, 25-metre swimming pools, four new water slides and an indoor spray park — as well as a year-round fieldhouse, with two-thirds dedicated to turf and an additional ice rink.

“Calgary is growing so rapidly that these rec facilities — and expansions to rec facilities — are crucially needed,” said Candice Goudie, president of Sport Calgary. “This is a good day.”

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The proposal includes improvements to outdoor areas, parking, warm-water programming to provide therapeutic services and improving accessibility at the facility.

The price tag means the project will require significant outside support, and CEO Jan Bloemraad said he is hoping that the City of Calgary’s 2027 budget includes their facility.

“O ur ideal scenario is that we find from the city in November that they become a lead funder for the project. Once we get the lead funder, then we have a better opportunity to get provincial and federal funding,” he said. “The ideal scenario is that we can break ground in very early 2028.”

Bloemraad’s hopes for city funding are tied to Calgary’s GamePLAN strategy, a 25-year road map unveiled in 2025 to guide future investment in recreation facilities as the city’s population continues to grow.

The strategy identified Westside as one of 17 first-wave projects deemed a priority, with the centre’s proposed expansion aligning with GamePLAN’s goals of increasing access to aquatic facilities, indoor field space and ice surfaces. Westside was not among the projects approved for funding in the city’s 2026 budget , which allocated $94 million to local parks and facilities.

Bloemraad said that, as a city partner operating on city-owned land, Westside is well positioned to address the points outlined in GamePLAN. He added that he hopes the detailed plan shows that they’re ready for funding.

“I think that because Wave 1 is starting here, and because we are a proven partner, we are positioned for that shovel-ready partner that can really help Calgarians,” he said. “It’s not like a partner coming out of the blue, it is a trusted partner.”

The facility’s board has already committed up to $10 million toward the project, with Westside also planning to pursue corporate sponsorships and grassroots fundraising, similar to how the facility was funded when it first opened in 2000. Bloemraad said the city would only be asked to provide capital funding for construction, with Westside responsible for future operating and capital expenses.

The expansion comes as Westside is struggling to keep up with demand.