Proposed Recreation Facility

On January 9, 2023, the Swan City Football Club (Swan City F.C.) presented to City Council to discuss the impact of demolishing the Leisure Centre on sports, including soccer, in Grande Prairie. The club proposed building an air structure or dome facility near the outdoor soccer fields that could be used for a variety of sports and activities.

Potential sites were introduced at the Public and Protective Services Committee meeting on January 31, 2023, with further information presented on March 28, 2023. On April 3, 2023, City Council approved, in principle, funding of up to $10 million from debenture for an indoor recreation facility. On April 17, 2023, Council selected the Avondale site as the preferred location for the proposed recreation facility.

Over the summer, the City engaged a consulting firm to develop a public engagement program to gather community and sport group perspectives on the project.

In October, various site layouts were presented to Committee and Council. City Council identified two site layouts that informed the public engagement program.

In November 2023, public engagement sessions were held, showing strong community support for the new facility and its potential to fill gaps in indoor recreation. The What We Heard report was received by the Public and Protective Services Committee for information in January 2024.

A site selection report and facility update were presented to City Council on May 6, 2024. Council identified Site 4 (located north of the pickleball courts) as a preferred site for the proposed recreation facility and directed Administration to continue negotiations with the appropriate school division for the development of the selected site.

Next Steps

City Council directed Administration to initiate a procurement process to determine facility cost options and prepare cost estimates for infrastructure needs and report back at a future meeting.

Please visit this page for further project updates.