Westside is conducting an expansion and renovation project from May to December 2025. There are five key areas as part of this project: Fitness Centre Expansion; renovation of North Fitness, the Junior Studio, and resurfacing the Running Track; a new Cafe and renovated Lobby area; Plus Change Rooms refurbishment; and a new Service Elevator.

Project priorities for 2025 were decided based on facility demand and customer usage patterns, member surveys, comment cards and communication with staff, facility lifecycle requirements, and Westside’s ability to serve the community and provide member satisfaction.

The Fitness Centre will be expanded by approximately 5,000 square feet, extending out over a portion of the space above the current Leisure Ice. This will provide much-needed additional space for individual or small group fitness. The new area will be fully outfitted with new equipment with a focus on functional fitness. The North Fitness area will feature new flooring and configuration, the Running Track will be resurfaced, and the Junior Studio will be renovated and newly outfitted as well.

We will be relocating food services to the front of the building and creating a new café area with modern and expanded seating, longer hours of operation, and mobile ordering capability. After consultation with experts in the industry and a competitive request-for-proposal process, Wise & Wright, a local community café operator, will be coming to Westside, featuring a health-focused menu, a craft coffee bar, and locally sourced, inspired food offerings.

Westside conducted a comprehensive and inclusive selection process inviting both current and new cafe operators to submit a proposal. Requirements included local operators, good quality, healthy food and beverage options, longer hours of operation, and mobile ordering capability. Many applications were received and the top three candidates were selected and interviewed, including some taste testing! The successful applicant, Wise & Wright, has a storefront in downtown Calgary and will open their second location at Westside when renovations are complete.

The Plus Change Rooms will receive their first major renovation since Westside opened in 2000. Both men’s and women’s Plus changing areas will feature new lockers, washrooms, showers, steam rooms, grooming stations, fixtures and finishings.

A new service elevator will be installed on Westside’s north side. A second elevator was needed to meet usage demands and to safely carry heavy equipment and freight to the second floor. The service elevator also ensures customer accessibility and safety while we conduct repairs and lifecycle maintenance on our existing passenger elevator.

Under the direction of Westside’s CEO and Manager of Building & Projects, the expansion and renovation is being designed by Gibbs Gage Architecture and executed by Graham Construction and tendered construction tradespersons. All contracts were awarded as part of competitive request-for-proposal and tender processes.

You will see the renovations starting in May with most of the construction activity happening from June until September when user levels are a bit lower. It will be a phased construction project with all the different areas being worked on at different (and overlapping) times. Completion is expected by the end of 2025. Areas slated for renovation will be scheduled to ensure our members and guests have continuous access to facilities, programs and services during the project. Renovated areas will be reopened as soon as they are completed.

Service to our members, customers and communities is our highest priority. Renovation activity has been planned to minimize impact to members and guests. We are taking every measure to ensure continuous access to Westside facilities, programs and services.

Yes. Facilities, programs and services will be available throughout the renovation period and Westside do everything possible to minimize impact to our members and guests. Newly renovated spaces will be opened as soon as they are completed, and new equipment will be arriving regularly. You can be confident in renewing your membership, and you’ll want to be among the first to try out our new spaces and offerings!

Yes. Programs have been planned in accordance with anticipated construction schedules. Programs may be located in a different room or area but will still be conducted in suitable spaces with appropriate equipment and activities. Our very popular day camps will also be going on throughout the summer with the only change being the relocation of the drop-off and pickup point due to construction activities in the Leisure Ice arena.

Construction work, for the most part, will be conducted on the interior of the building. Parking will be minimally impacted as there will be some extra vehicles in the lot due to having contract workers onsite. We will also have some areas hoarded for mobilization but will limit these to the north end arena parking and south end staff parking areas.

The total budget approved by Westside’s Board of Directors for this renovation project is $13.5 million. Westside has been prudent in planning for future upgrades and renovations so funding is in place to undertake this project. In addition, Westside received $118,288 from the Alberta Community Initiatives grant.

Yes. Westside is committed to providing top quality facilities, programs and services for the communities we serve. As demand increases and major lifecycle replacement and maintenance is required, expansion, renovation and upgrades are considered.

Yes. We will evaluate all areas and consider the costs, benefits, impacts to the community, and more.

Questions can be emailed to renovations@staging.westsiderec.com. We will ensure your inquiry is directed to the staff member who can provide you with the best information.