Calgary's multi-sport fieldhouse moves toward detailed design

Calgary is moving forward with plans to build a multi-sport fieldhouse next to McMahon Stadium, with new renderings revealing the project now proposes three separate indoor facilities.

On Friday, the city's multi-sport fieldhouse committee received its first update in two years. The project is advancing toward the detailed design phase, having completed technical infrastructure assessments, site servicing, constructability analysis, and economic and financial studies.

The proposed facilities would wrap around the existing Foothills Athletic Park track and field venue. A building on the east side, near Crowchild Trail, would include a 200-metre indoor athletic track with spectator seating, replacing the former Burns Stadium, which was demolished in early 2025. A second building west of the outdoor track, close to University Drive N.W., would house an indoor FIFA-regulation artificial turf soccer pitch. A third community recreation centre at the north end would replace existing outdoor tennis and pickleball courts.

"These features enable everyday community use, but together they have the ability to host major sporting events and support economic development," said Ryan Meier, the city's manager of facility planning. The components would be built in phases depending on constructability, funding availability, and prioritization.

The city has earmarked $109 million toward the project and is requesting $80 million from the federal government. Calgary is currently the only major city in Canada without a multi-sport fieldhouse. Meier argued the facility would allow Calgary to host more provincial, national, and international athletics events.

According to city projections, the project would support 1,500 construction and operational jobs and generate between $20 million and $63 million in economic activity once complete.