Forum Thermal, Calgary's largest urban spa, opening downtown by year's end
The 18,000-square-foot Nordic-inspired facility at 10th Avenue and 5th Street will feature six pools, three saunas, and two steam rooms.
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A new 18,000-square-foot urban spa set to open downtown by the end of 2026 is designed to bring Nordic thermal traditions into Calgary's core.
Forum Thermal will occupy the Oliver Building at 10th Avenue and 5th Street with six signature pools, three saunas, and two steam rooms arranged across interconnected spaces. The exterior thermal pool will wrap around the south, west, and north terraces. Designer Nick Dykstra said the spa aims to incorporate downtown surroundings in unexpected ways — including having bubbles activated by passing trains in the outdoor pools.
The interior shifts in atmosphere as guests move deeper into the facility. The reception area is bright with high ceilings; as visitors go further, ceilings drop and lighting darkens, creating what Dykstra called "a sense of compression." A central basin chamber with indoor pools is designed to be dark and quiet with giant slabs of Italian terrazzo.
Operating 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., the facility will subtly shift throughout the day from calm individual or couple experiences in the morning to more social atmospheres at night. The founders wanted to take the best of Canada's mountain retreats and place that experience confidently in the heart of the city.
At a glance
Where exactly is Forum Thermal located?
Forum Thermal is located at 10th Avenue and 5th Street in downtown Calgary, in the Oliver Building.
What pools, saunas, and steam rooms will Forum Thermal have?
Forum Thermal will feature six signature pools, three saunas, and two steam rooms arranged across interconnected spaces.
What are Forum Thermal's hours?
Forum Thermal operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
