CMFS Update 2017

CMFS has been working since 2008 to promote the construction of a Multisport Fieldhouse.  Calgary is the only major “winter” city in Canada without a fieldhouse facility. Because of our often challenging weather and growing population, indoor sports facilities are greatly needed to serve amateur sport groups and active people of all ages.  The proposed facility contains a 400m indoor track, a full-size turf infield, demountable stands, and attached gymnasia.

The City of Calgary has confirmed the Multisport Fieldhouse need on multiple occasions including the City of Calgary/Sport Calgary Strategic Plan for Sport Facility Development & Enhancement. In 2013, a Fieldhouse was confirmed as the first priority to be built in any redevelopment of city lands at Foothills Athletics Park.  A Fieldhouse is listed among the highest priority projects in the 2015 Unified List of Unfunded Capital Requirements.

We have engaged the support of 25 amateur sport associations representing approximately 200,000     members in Calgary and throughout Alberta. All agree that improved indoor training & competition space in Calgary is urgently needed.  A fieldhouse has tremendous sports tourism potential as a venue for major tournaments and other events.

We are pleased that the City is proceeding to evaluate CalgaryNEXT and an alternative Plan B to construct sports facilities including a Multisport Fieldhouse.  We anticipate the next report on major sports facilities in early 2017 and a decision on the best route forward to serve the needs of all potential users. 

Any potential location for the Multisport Fieldhouse must be carefully evaluated & compared using the same five major criteria to meet the requirements of amateur sport and the general public:

1)      Fieldhouse amenities and program requirements

2)      Public/amateur sport users’ ease of access & parking

3)      Wide primetime availability for public & amateur sport groups

4)      Affordable rates & fees and long term guarantees

5)      Governance model to serve the needs of user groups

Wherever the facility is located, the general public and amateur sports groups must have wide primetime access to the Multisport Fieldhouse at an affordable cost.     

We have asked City Council to act with urgency in confirming the location of the Multisport Fieldhouse and capital funding. We don’t want to lose the momentum that has grown to proceed with the Fieldhouse project. 

CMFS is continuing to do all it can as a non-profit volunteer run organization to promote the construction of the Multisport Fieldhouse.  Moving forward we are committed to involvement in the programming and design details to ensure that the facility serves the needs of user groups.   

We will continue to work closely with the City of Calgary and Sport Calgary in support of this long needed facility to benefit athletes of all ages. Thank you to all our supporters. 

Please contact us if you would like any further information contact@calgaryfieldhouse.ca

 

 

CMFS Statement on CalgaryNEXT and Plan B

A Multisport Fieldhouse is urgently needed to serve amateur sport groups and all active Calgarians.

We are pleased that the City is proceeding to evaluate CalgaryNEXT and an alternative Plan B to construct sports facilities including a Multisport Fieldhouse.  We look forward to the report in October and a decision at that time on the best route forward to serve the needs of all Calgarians. 

Both options must be carefully evaluated & compared using the same five major criteria for a Multisport Fieldhouse to meet the requirements of amateur sport:

1)      Fieldhouse amenities and program requirements

2)      Public/amateur sport users’ ease of access & parking

3)      Wide primetime availability for public & amateur sport groups

4)      Affordable rates & fees and long term guarantees

5)      Governance model to serve the needs of user groups

Wherever the facility is located, the general public and amateur sports groups must have wide access to the Multisport Fieldhouse at an affordable cost.  

We ask City Council to act with urgency in confirming the location of the Multisport Fieldhouse and capital funding to construct it.

We will continue to work closely with the City of Calgary and Sport Calgary in support of this long needed facility to benefit all Calgarians. 

Calgary Multisport Fieldhouse Society Response to CalgaryNEXT Phase One Analysis Report

Calgary urgently requires a Multisport Fieldhouse to serve the needs of active Calgarians of all ages.  We are pleased that the CalgaryNEXT proposal and analysis framework have brought this issue to the forefront.  We ask that all decision makers keep this need in mind as they assess the CalgaryNEXT Phase One Report and act with urgency in confirming the location for the Multisport Fieldhouse and identifying funding options.

A Multisport Fieldhouse has been at the top of the City priority list for several years but is as yet unfunded.  CMFS and its many supporting amateur sports groups have advocated for a Multisport Fieldhouse for many years and we will continue our efforts inclusive of investigating, financing and facilitating construction to begin as soon as possible.   

As set out in our response to the Phase One Analysis, we believe that the CSEC made good initial efforts to address the major concerns for amateur sport users: 

 

  • Multisport amenities and programming requirements
  • Access to site and adequate parking
  • Wide availability for public use at prime time
  • Affordability
  • Governance model for management & operations

These concerns must be addressed no matter where the Multisport Fieldhouse is located.  The general public must have wide access to the facility at an affordable cost.   

We will continue to work closely with the City of Calgary and Sport Calgary and greatly appreciate their work in support of this long needed facility.

Jason Zaran

Chair, Calgary Multisport Fieldhouse Society

CMFS POSITION ON CALGARY NEXT

CMFS primary directive is to create awareness and ultimately get a fieldhouse built in the City of Calgary.  To that end we are excited to see that a fieldhouse encompassing all the aspects of our proposed plans for Foothills Athletic Park has been presented in the CalgaryNEXT proposal. We are also grateful to the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation for raising the profile of this long needed facility.

Working with the City we support the realization of a multisport fieldhouse facility in the shortest timeline possible.  If the CalgaryNEXT proposal becomes the viable alternative to meet this goal our position will be to ensure that the mandate of the multisport functionality, public access, and affordability for public use remain faithful to the original plans for the project currently destined for the Foothills Athletic Park lands.  In the meantime we continue our diligent work enlisting the community’s help in raising awareness and support for a Calgary Multisport Fieldhouse.

New faces, new energy for CMFS board

Goran Miletic – a track and field athlete with a degree in Human Kinetics, Goran has a wealth of experience in marketing. He currently works for FLG Sports as their National Trainer for both SportChek and Atmosphere. Goran sees the multisport fieldhouse as key infrastructure for athletes at all levels and has taken on the responsibility for communications for CMFS to help ensure that message is promoted.

Andrew Stordeur – a multisport athlete with special fondness for basketball (he captained the Dinos basketball team from 1999 to 2001) Andrew has a BA in Sociology from U of C and a Master of Business degree from Queen’s University. As Director of Sales for Molson Coors, Andrew is connected and involved with key sporting organizations both provincially and nationally. He believes all Calgarians, regardles of age,  deserve to have access to facilities that will allow them to participate in a wide range of sports.

Keenan Viney – a national-class distance runner, Keenan has a master’s degree in economics and currently works as a real estate analyst. Keenan would like to see Calgary’s fieldhouse reflect the growing depth of track and field in Calgary, to encourage new and current athletes to pursue excellence in a world-class training facility.

The three join Donna Dixon (Past Chair), Jason Zaran (Chair elect), Ursula Tabsh (Secretary-Treasurer), along with directors Dale Schoenthaler, Kathy Urquhart and Wendy Parker.

Fieldhouse in the News

Incoming CMFS Chair, Jason Zaran, reiterated that the Society still stands firmly behind the City’s plans for a multisport fieldhouse at Foothills Athletics park, but he said, “we will definitely evaluate the Flames plans when we see them.”

There are still many unanswered questions regarding the Flames plans – cost? who pays? will the City provide the land? what is the timeline?(A full discussion of these questions can be found  in the April 4 Herald. (http://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/hall-monitor-answering-seven-questions-about-the-flames-arena-pitch.) But the proposal does offer hope that the long-held dream (dating all the way back to the ’60s) of a multisport fieldhouse in Calgary may finally become a reality. And that will be very good, not only for athletes, but for all of Calgary. In the words of the editorial writer on April 3:

It’s to be hoped the Flames’ new home includes features that make it a must-see meeting place, rather than an unimaginative grouping of sports venues. The ownership group, which includes some of Calgary’s most generous philanthropists, has hinted at a bold vision, so there’s every reason to believe it will live up to expectations when details are formally released. The project would be a tremendous source of pride and economic development for all of southern Alberta.

You can see the editorial in its entirety here: http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-flames-bold-vision

Supporters Update

To date, 31 local and provincial organizations, representing more than 200,000 individuals have formally expressed their support.

And individuals are making their voices heard as well. Local athletes recently had the chance at two separate events to have their say and they responded enthusiastically and emphatically. More than 200 track athletes at the Dinos meet in December and basketball players at the Youth Basketball tournament in March took the time to sign the petition. And their passion for the project is clear in their written comments: “Please!”, “Do it!” “Excellent idea!”, “Yes!”, “Yes!”, “Yes!!!” Needed!” “Needed”, “Needed!”, “Do it NOW!”

CMFS hopes to have a presence at a number of other events this spring to provide information about the Fieldhouse project and give more athletes a chance to sign the petition so we can get shovels in the ground on this badly needed and much wanted facility.

Some events where you may see the CMFS tent (and petition) include:

Calgary Police Half Marathon (April 26)
Soccer Minifests (May 30 and June 6)
Caltaf Classic (June 20)
All Sport One Day (June 20).