Nenshi hopes to fund fieldhouse in next Calgary budget

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he hopes there's room in Calgary's upcoming four-year budget for a new multi-sport fieldhouse.

"Oh I think we need one. No question," the mayor saidWednesday.

In 2013, the city's community and protective services committeevotedin favourof constructing a $200-million facility at Foothills Athletic Park at University Drive and 24th Avenue N.W., close to both McMahon Stadium and the University of Calgary, as well as the C-Train line.

The Calgary Flames owners have estimated the costs of a stand-alone fieldhouse could be higher than the city's estimate, suggesting it could cost as much as $260 million.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |'Brave' Calgary boy saved others from U.S. child predator, police say
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Elderly woman killed by C-Train in northeast Calgary

Nenshi said now that the last of four new rec centres elsewhere in the city is set to open in a few months, the fieldhousewill get serious consideration in the fall budget.

"I'd really like to find the money for this project. It has long been our largest unfunded social infrastructure piece," Nenshi said.

The challenge, according to Nenshi, is the cost. He said he'd ideally like to see more indoor soccer and indoor track opportunities as well not just the one, large multi-sport facility andhe hopes to find the money to make it happen.

"I think when we're looking at the recreation list we have to figure out a way to get to that fieldhouse."

A fieldhousecould also be considered as part of a potential Winter Olympics bid as one of the city's possible venues.

The 2013proposal included a 400-metre running track, full-sized soccer pitch and space for other sports such as basketball and tennis, plus seating for 10,000 spectators, but no source of funds has been identified.