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!
Starting April 27, 2026, construction will begin at Shawnessy YMCA. During Phase 1 of construction, the main floor change rooms will be closed, and the men’s Plus change room will be converted into a temporary women’s change room. Both the men’s and women’s change rooms will be located on the second floor during this renovation.
Once completed, the renovated change rooms will feature an expanded universal change room and needed updates to the men’s and women’s change rooms.
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. Construction has been planned carefully and in phases to minimize disruption and ensure a safe, positive experience for all members, volunteers, staff, and visitors.
During Phase 1 of Construction: Change room renovations starting April 27, 2026
- Main‑floor change rooms: Closed
- All change rooms: Second floor
- Men’s Plus becomes Temporary Women’s change room
- No universal change room
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.
What’s Included?
Phase 1: Reconfigured change rooms
We are expanding the universal change room to create more space for our guests. The men’s and women’s change rooms will be renovated to better meet member needs. We will also be removing the Extra/Plus men’s change room, to make space for two new fitness studios.
Following Phases:
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.
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/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.
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/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.
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.
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. This will happen automatically and requires no further action from 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.
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 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.
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 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.