Group won’t wait on CalgaryNEXT, pushing for field house now
Posted May 25, 2016 7:40 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There is optimism from many that the much-debated CalgaryNEXT could get the green light from city council by the end of the year.
But even if it does, the Multisport Fieldhouse Society says the need for facilities is so great they’re going to start really pushing for a new field house now, regardless of the CalgaryNEXT outcome.
It was discussed during their annual general meeting Tuesday night.
The Foothills Athletic Park location remains a popular option, and at an estimated $200-million, Jason Zaran with the Multisport Fieldhouse society says it will be important to work with the city and find funding from other places, whether it is from the federal government or a group like Own the Podium.
“I do believe that even if you had $2-million or $3-million that exposed itself, I think that’s all it would take,” he said. “CalgaryNEXT, whatever is going to happen with that, that’s a whole separate piece now, and let’s get a field house built now.”
Sport Calgary CEO Murray Sigler points out Edmonton has three facilities, and it wouldn’t be a bad thing to start a field house now, which could be built in a couple years, and then have another one come online if and when CalgaryNEXT happens.
“We have great opportunity right now to capture the moment, get on, and develop not just a field house but develop a long term plan that has three or four field houses,” he said, adding the two ideas don’t have to be in conflict.
A field house is at the top of the city’s unfunded list, but the society wants it moved to the top of the funded list.
