Calgary City Council Funds Design and Planning for Proposed West District YMCA and Library

YMCA Calgary and the Calgary Public Library are pleased to share that City Council has approved $3 million in funding to support detailed design and planning for a proposed YMCA and Library location on Broadcast Avenue SW, across from Radio Park in West District. 

The YMCA, Calgary Public Library, and Truman began exploring the potential for a new recreation centre and library in West District after hearing community feedback about the pressing need for amenities to keep pace with rapid population growth in West Calgary. This proposed facility would serve over 41,000 households within a 12-minute drive and there will be over 3,000 homes in the West District community by 2030, meaning approximately 5,300 residents will live within walking distance.

This partner-led project would advance The City of Calgary’s GamePLAN objectives by increasing access to recreation and library services, helping to reduce waitlists, and creating new welcoming and inspiring spaces that will foster community belonging and skill development for Calgarians who live, work, and play in West Calgary. Investment in recreation centres and libraries is critical to addressing some of the most pressing issues facing our community including rising physical inactivity, literacy rates, school readiness, social isolation, and unemployment.

To bring this facility to life, Truman intends to donate the land, and construction will be possible with capital funding from all three orders of government and philanthropic support. City Council’s investment of $3 million in 2026 enables detailed design and permitting that will make the project “shovel ready” for potential municipal, provincial, and federal investment that has yet to be confirmed.  

The proposed facility includes:

• 60,000 sq. ft. of recreation space including a 7-lane 25m pool, leisure pool, gymnasium, track, fitness studios, and multi-purpose rooms to support Calgarians’ health and wellbeing.
• 9,000 sq. ft. of library space including children’s area, reading zones, and meeting rooms where Calgarians can access ideas, inspiration, community connections, and support.
• Integration with outdoor recreation amenities, located across the street in the 8.0-acre Radio Park, which features a basketball court, off leash dog park, children’s playground, spray park, amphitheater, and open green space.
• 200+ underground parking spaces to reduce traffic congestion and support facility access.
• Extension of existing YMCA Calgary programs and services, including City-wide membership access, the Calgary Flames Grade 6 YMCA Membership program, and financial assistance, funded by YMCA Calgary donors, which will support inclusive access consistent with Fair Entry. 
• Increased access to Calgary Public Library resources and programming, including collections, early learning and school readiness programs, technology supports, and more.  
• Seamless integration into a thoughtfully designed, mixed-use, multi-residential neighbourhood that features a diverse range of housing options, main street businesses, pedestrian oriented spaces, and programmed open spaces.

In 2026, the YMCA and Library will engage the community for their input and feedback as part of the development permit application process. Please stay tuned for more information as the project progresses!

If you’re excited about the idea of a West District YMCA and Library please write to your City Councillor, MLA, and MP to let them know why this matters to you! Government funding will be critical for this facility to come to life.

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Jessica Park
Director, Community & Government Relations
YMCA Calgary
jessica.park@ymcacalgary.org

Mary Kapusta
Executive Director, Communications and Engagement
Calgary Public Library
mary.kapusta@calgarylibrary.ca