Renovations to Support Our Growing Community
In Spring 2026, we started making improvements to Shawnessy YMCA. These renovations were designed in response to member feedback so we can meet the needs of our growing community. This renovation project is creating new and renewed spaces that will enable us to deliver more group fitness classes, new programming, and places for members to gather and connect!
What to Expect During Construction
Shawnessy YMCA will remain open throughout construction. Some areas will be temporarily closed while renovations are in progress. Construction has been planned carefully and in phases to minimize disruption and ensure a safe, positive experience for all members, volunteers, staff, and visitors.
Facility Updates & Closures
Currently Underway - Pools & Showers
The pool and all showers will be closed from August 14 at 8 p.m. to October 19 (expected) while we complete the pool ceiling paint upgrades.
Completed! - Weight Floor
From August 24 to 26, the second floor will also be closed as we replace the strength equipment. The second floor will reopen on Thursday, August 27, with the cardio equipment and select strength equipment available for use.
Completed! - Gymnasium Access
During the August 24 to 26 second floor closure, the gymnasium will be the primary activity space for public use. Please note that daytime access to the gymnasium will be limited due to camp programming during these dates.
If you're looking for additional workout options while these renovations are underway, we invite you to visit Remington YMCA in Quarry Park or Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton, where you can continue to enjoy a full range of fitness and aquatic amenities.
Updated Project Timeline
Underway - Main Floor Change Rooms
- April 27 to October 19, 2026 (The universal change rooms will remain closed until the end of November)
Underway - Family Centre / Lab
- July 2 to October 28, 2026
Underway - Pool Ceiling Painting Upgrades
- August 14 to October 4, 2026 (Pools and showers closed)
Completed! Weight Floor Equipment Replacement
- August 24 to August 26, 2026 (Second floor closed)
Underway - Climbing Wall & Gym Improvements
- September 1 to November 22, 2026 (The gymnasium and climbing wall will be closed for floor refinishing)
Underway - Second Floor Studios
- August 17 to December 11, 2026
Questions? Talk to our team on-site or contact us at shawnessy@ymcacalgary.org.
Visual Rendering
See the visual rendering of what some spaces will look like after completion.
See What’s Taking Shape
Take a look at photos of completed spaces and work currently underway.
Help Build the Future of Shawnessy YMCA
For nearly 25 years, the Shawnessy YMCA has been a place where people come together to improve their health, build friendships, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Since opening in 2002, the facility has grown into a vibrant community hub, welcoming more than 512,000 visits annually and serving over 9,000 members each year.
As Calgary continues to grow, so do the needs of our community. To ensure Shawnessy YMCA continues to serve families, youth, seniors, and individuals for generations to come, YMCA Calgary will revitalize and reimagine this important community space.
The project budget is $7.5 million. To fund the project, the YMCA will use $1.25 million from its capital reserve fund and raise the remaining $6.25 million in grants and charitable donations through a community fundraising campaign.
Your support can help transform the Shawnessy YMCA for the next generation.
By making a gift today, you will help enhance and expand fitness, recreation and wellness spaces for participants to move, gather and connect, a new technology lab for youth, a redesigned family centre, improved accessibility, and more opportunities for community members to participate and belong.
Join us in reimagining the Shawnessy YMCA. Invest in a stronger, healthier, more connected Calgary. Donate today and help ensure this vital community hub continues to change lives for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Shawnessy YMCA will remain open during construction, though some areas will be temporarily closed while modernization work is in progress during spring-fall 2026. We will share a schedule of construction and closure impacts prior to closures. Keep an eye on our website for details.
We are adding a large universal locker room space, updating male and female locker rooms, and removing the Extra locker rooms, enabling the addition of two new fitness studios.
The current locker rooms are nearly 25 years old and no longer sufficient for member needs.
Recreation centres are expanding universal locker rooms to make these spaces safe and inclusive for everyone, including people with reduced mobility, couples of all ages, families with young children, caregivers, and child care or school groups to be together in the same space.
Universal locker rooms include private change cubicles, private showers, and washroom stalls. Universal locker rooms are increasingly popular and receive positive feedback, including from our own members. We will also retain separate male and female locker rooms.
After careful consideration, we are making this change to our locker room options to better meet the needs of our community.
By reducing overall locker room space, we can increase fitness studio space, giving users more access to health and fitness programs.
Male and female locker rooms will still be available for those who do not wish to use a universal locker room.
These renovations will improve programming in three ways:
- Two new fitness studios will be added to expand our drop-in fitness schedule. This will include additional and new classes to meet the needs of our community.
- We will launch esports programs at the Shawnessy YMCA in a new renovated multi-purpose space.
- Climbing programs will be physically separate from the gymnasium, including a separate entrance to improve safety for all users.
Some programs may be paused, relocated, or rescheduled during construction. We will provide plenty of notice and alternative options.
Less than 10% of Shawnessy visitors currently have Extra memberships. Extra membership benefits, including separate locker rooms, towel service, and steam rooms will no longer be available at the Shawnessy YMCA once the Extra locker rooms are closed for renovations. However, during construction, towel service will continue for existing Extra members as a courtesy to support this transition.
We understand that the Extra locker rooms have been a valued amenity for some members for many years and appreciate your flexibility as we adapt to meet the evolving needs of our community.
The Remington YMCA in Quarry Park will continue to offer Extra membership benefits available to those in south Calgary.
Monthly membership fees for Extra members at Shawnessy YMCA will be adjusted to the General membership rate once construction begins. This will happen automatically and requires no further action from members.
Extra members at Shawnessy YMCA who would like to maintain their Extra membership for use at the Remington YMCA in Quarry Park must contact our customer service team to adjust membership to make Remington YMCA in Quarry Park your home branch. Contact us here.
In recognition of the inconvenience during construction, we will continue to provide towel service for active Extra members during the construction period. However, towel service at Shawnessy will be discontinued when construction concludes.
This benefit will apply to only those who hold active Extra memberships as of the first day of construction. There will be no additional cost for this continued towel service - memberships will transition to the General member rate. All other Extra membership benefits at the Shawnessy YMCA will be discontinued as of the construction start date.
Fees will not change due to renovations. YMCA Calgary will continue delivering high quality opportunities at affordable rates. Memberships will become more affordable for current Extra members who transition to General membership rates.
The child development centre will not be directly impacted by the renovations. Families using child care can continue to expect the same quality of care with no service disruptions.
Many childcare families also hold YMCA memberships and use other parts of the facility, such as the pool, fitness areas, and shared spaces. These areas will see changes and upgrades, and there may be some minor inconveniences during construction. We’ll do our best to minimize these impacts and keep you informed along the way.
Most of the existing strength weight equipment and machines will be replaced as part of this renovation. A new, dedicated stretching space will also be added adjacent to the fitness studio, allowing the weight floor to expand into the stretching space.
The project budget is $7.5 million.
$1,250,000 from YMCA capital reserve
$6,250,000 from grants and community fundraising campaign
The YMCA is designed for the community, and we rely on community and team feedback to design spaces and programs. This renovation is informed by years of member survey feedback and data on which spaces and programs are the most used and in demand. Feedback on possible changes was also gathered in 2024 from research completed by an external consultant with members, facility users, and stakeholders.