In Spring 2026, we’re making improvements to Shawnessy YMCA, designed in response to member feedback and to meet the needs of our growing community. This renovation project will create 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’s included?
Reconfigured change rooms by expanding the universal change room, renovating the men’s and women’s change rooms, and removing underused Extra/Plus membership locker rooms.
Two new fitness studios and a dedicated stretching area will alleviate congestion on the weight floor, free up highly coveted space in our gymnasiums and allow us to expand our drop-in and registered programs for all ages with a variety of fitness, sporting and recreational activities.
Redesigned family centre and preschool rooms will create flexible multi-purpose rooms that can be used for a variety of programs and activities, including the launch of new eSports programming.
Upgraded strength equipment on the weight floor.
Improved safety of the climbing wall and gymnasium by creating a separate entrance and partitioned space.
We look forward to hosting information sessions with opportunities to provide feedback on how new and improved spaces will be activated in 2026. Stay tuned for updates!
What to Expect During Construction
Spring-Fall 2026: Renovation phase
Shawnessy YMCA will remain open throughout construction. Some areas will be temporarily closed while renovations are in progress. We are planning construction carefully, to minimize disruption and ensure a safe, positive experience for all members, volunteers, staff, and others who visit the facility. We will share regular construction updates through:
-Regular updates on this webpage
-Signage throughout the facility
-Email notifications for members and program participants
Questions? Talk to our team on-site or contact us at shawnessy@ymcacalgary.org.
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.
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.
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.
Some programs may be paused, relocated or rescheduled during construction. We will provide plenty of notice and alternative options.
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. Feeback on possible changes was also gathered in 2024 from research completed by an external consultant with members, facility users, and stakeholders.
We are adding a large universal locker room space, updating male and female locker rooms, and removing the Extra/Plus 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 change 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 change rooms include private change cubicles, private showers, and washroom stalls. Universal change rooms are increasingly popular and receive positive feedback, including from our own members. We will also retain separate male and female change 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.
We understand that the Extra/Plus 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. Less than 10% of Shawnessy visitors currently have Extra/Plus memberships. Extra/Plus membership benefits, including separate locker rooms, towel service, and steam rooms will no longer be available at the Shawnessy YMCA once the Extra/Plus locker rooms are closed for renovations. However, during construction, towel service will continue for existing Extra/Plus members as a courtesy to support this transition.
The Remington YMCA in Quarry Park will continue to offer Extra/Plus membership benefits available to those in south Calgary.
Monthly membership fees for Extra/Plus members at Shawnessy YMCA will be adjusted to the General membership rate once construction begins – anticipated for April 2026. This will happen automatically and requires no further action by members.
Extra/Plus members at Shawnessy YMCA who would like to maintain their Extra/Plus 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/Plus members during the construction period. However, towel service at Shawnessy will be discontinued when construction concludes - anticipated for Oct 2026.
This benefit will apply to only those who hold active Extra/Plus 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/Plus membership benefits at the Shawnessy YMCA will be discontinued as of the construction start date.
Fees will not change due to the renovations. YMCA Calgary will continue delivering high quality opportunities at affordable rates. Memberships will become more affordable for current Extra/Plus 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.
We will host sessions in early 2026 to share more information about the planned renovations and collect additional input about potential fitness classes and opportunities to use these new and improved spaces.
We are excited to invite your ideas about how we can expand our programming and create spaces that meet the needs of our growing community. Stay tuned for more information in early 2026.
We’re grateful for your commitment and positivity as we begin this exciting transformation. The renovation is about modernizing our space to ensure every person who walks through our doors continues to have a place to grow, connect, and Shine On.