By Joel Kom, Calgary Herald April 6, 2009 7:24 AM
 
With Calgary still short of recreational space, the city has turned its gaze inward to look at building facilities in established communities and expanding existing centres that have become too small.

Officials have already made it a priority to set aside land in new communities for recreation, helped in large part by development rules that call for some land to be set aside for sports and leisure.

But with plans to pour more people and more density into older neighbourhoods over the next several decades, officials have also turned their attention to what they can do with empty spaces in those areas as well as the facilities they already have.

"We have been taking a look at them. Most of our recreational facilities are getting old," said Dennis Lafreniere of the city's recreation department.

One of the first steps in the building plan could come soon, he added, with the city expecting to put out a call for partners to build on a vacant lot within the next month.

Lafreniere also pointed to Killarney as an example of the city's vision. The city took what was once just a pool and added a fitness area and meeting rooms.
"You'll probably see, over time, single-purpose facilities expanding to meet the needs of the community."

The population boom, a facility shortage and growth in sports such as soccer have added up to make recreation space scarce in Calgary.

Even with new buildings slated to come to the northwest and southeast -- the city's most starved areas when it comes to sports facilities --the city is also facing decisions on aging centres built during Canada's centennial celebration in 1967.

When federal and provincial funding dried up in the 1980s and 1990s, Calgary found a way to make do with what it had--but that might not last much longer.

"We've come to that place in time where those buildings aren't going to be functional anymore," said Tim Bjornson, executive director of the Calgary Sports Council.

Ald. Gord Lowe said city guidelines such as Plan It, the planning document that calls to build up instead of out, will mean the city has to redo some facilities so they can serve young families and seniors.

"On the one hand, you've got active sports for young people, and on the other hand, you've got more passive needs," he said.

jkom@thecalgaryherald.canwest.com
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