Tuesday, May 6, 2025
The City of Calgary has officially launched construction on the Rocky Ridge Athletic Park, a $25.1 million investment that will expand recreational opportunities for residents in Calgary’s growing northwest communities.
Located adjacent to the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge (11300 Rocky Ridge Rd. N.W.), the athletic park will feature two competition-sized multi-use artificial turf sports fields, washrooms, parking, field lighting and landscaping. Expected to be complete in fall 2026, the athletic park will provide high-quality spaces for sports leagues, families, schools and community groups, supporting a wide range of physical activities. Rocky Ridge Athletic Park will be bookable through our athletic fields booking system and will be operated alongside Calgary’s existing network of athletic parks and artificial turf fields.
“The Rocky Ridge Athletic Park is a clear example of how we are planning for growth and responding to the needs of our communities,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “It’s a smart and necessary step for the future of Calgary, ensuring we create high-quality spaces where families, athletes, and community groups can come together, stay active, and thrive.”
Calgary’s public recreation system faces pressure from aging infrastructure, rising operational costs and increasing demand for amenities like playfields. Rocky Ridge Athletic Park was approved by City Council through the Revised Capital Investment Strategy in 2021 and is in line with the recently adopted GamePLAN Making Waves service level. GamePLAN Making Waves aims to meet the growing need for accessible athletic spaces by having a total inventory of 89 artificial turf fields across Calgary by 2050.
“We’ve consistently heard from our sports partners and Calgarians that we need to increase playfield access in the city,” said Heather Johnson, director of Recreation at the City of Calgary. “I’m excited to not only break ground here in Rocky Ridge, but to keep the momentum going as we invest in GamePLAN and the future of public recreation in Calgary.”
Rocky Ridge Athletic Park is the first phase of the larger Rocky Ridge Athletic Complex vision, which will one day include an indoor fieldhouse, pending future funding availability.
“The Rocky Ridge Athletic Park adds much-needed outdoor recreation opportunities, expanding on the success of the Shane Home YMCA that The City completed in 2017,” said Kerensa Swanson Fromherz, director of Public Spaces Delivery at The City of Calgary. “We are excited to be getting underway with construction so we can have the fields ready for use in the fall of 2026.”
Councillor Sonya Sharp (Ward 1) emphasized the positive impact the new athletic park will have on the local community.
“The demand for more soccer fields in this city has been loud and clear,” said Sharp. “We’ve heard from families, from local soccer clubs, and from young players who just want the chance to practice and compete close to home. This park is our answer. These new fields will directly address the shortage of available space in Ward 1 and citywide, giving our growing northwest communities the quality facilities they’ve been asking for.”
Featured image: (City of Calgary)
