North Central Community Recreation Centre Construction Begins News Item

Construction started on new North Central Community Recreation Centre at Commonwealth Stadium

June 10, 2009

Shovel ready: Hugh MacDonald, MLA Edmonton-Goldbar; Tony Caterina, Councillor Ward 3; Ed Gibbons, Councillor Ward 3; The Honourable Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit; The Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier of Alberta; Doug Goss, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Edmonton Eskimo Football Club; The Honourable Cindy Ady, Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation; His Worship Stephen Mandel, Mayor of Edmonton; Teresa Spinelli, President of the Italian Centre Shop and member of the McCauley Community League Giovanni Caboto Park Revitalization

Construction has started on the new North Central Community Recreation Centre at Commonwealth Stadium. The $112.5 million facility will create additional recreation, sports and wellness opportunities for community residents and athletes for many years to come.

"This new facility is changing the way we look at traditional sports and recreation centres," said Mayor Stephen Mandel. "We are building a legacy for our future that goes beyond building world-class facilities. This will be an accessible place where everyone can participate, where people and entire communities can be transformed. We are building our vision of a vibrant and active city through innovative partnerships, sustainable infrastructure, smart growth, and strong communities."

Since Commonwealth Stadium opened in 1978 for the Commonwealth Games, it has created a legacy that has continued to grow. The addition of the new recreation centre and field house will bring a wide range of opportunities for residents in the community, as well as for amateur and professional sports groups, and for Edmonton in the future.

"The vision, determination, and spirit of cooperation that led to the construction of Commonwealth Stadium over 30 years ago is as strong today as it was then," said Doug Goss, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Edmonton Eskimo Football Club. "Working in close partnership with the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton, the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club is proud to play a part in making this next piece of the Commonwealth Stadium legacy a reality."

"Recreation facilities strengthen communities and bring families together," said Premier Ed Stelmach. "The Government of Alberta is proud to support this wonderful new addition to our capital city, where a love of sports and recreation will be developed for generations to come."

"As a community resident, and someone who works and owns a business in this area, I am thrilled about the new development in our neighbourhood," said Teresa Spinelli, President of the Italian Centre Shop, and member of the McCauley Community League Giovanni Caboto Park Revitalization. "The new facility will create a community hub, where members of the community can come together for social, cultural, recreational and sports activities."

The new North Central Community Recreation Centre will be built onto the Stadium’s existing sports and fitness centre, and expand south onto the Joe Clarke Athletic Grounds.

The award-winning Maclennan Jaunkalns Miller and HIP architectural firms, and Clark Builders, have created a design that integrates the existing facility with new features such as an aquatic area, fitness centre, community and program spaces, field house with indoor walking / jogging track, and the relocated Edmonton Eskimos administration offices. These amenities reflect the highest priorities of the community as well as the needs of the sports groups sharing the site.

The total cost of the project is $112.5 million, with the City of Edmonton contributing $90 million, the Government of Alberta $15 million, and the Edmonton Eskimos $7.5 million. Portions of the field house will open to host Edmonton’s Grey Cup events in fall 2010. The field house and recreation centre will open to the public in early 2012.

The North Central Community Recreation Centre aligns with the City of Edmonton Strategic Plan,and the Recreation Facility Master Plan. For more information on the project, please visit www.edmonton.ca/nccrc.