[Infrastructurist]

For anyone that may know better, how does UD compare to similar efforts at UBC and other Universities to capture value from unused land? UBC seems the most extensive, and SFU seems to be starting. Not sure about others

I went to school at UBC, Westbrook is like a whole other town its so interesting walking there in between classes and just being transported into this completely different place. It doesn't feel like a University project (whereas in my opinion UD does) because it does a really good job of catering to the local communities around it like West Point Grey, Dunbar, etc.

 

[trtcttc]

I went to school at UBC, Westbrook is like a whole other town its so interesting walking there in between classes and just being transported into this completely different place. It doesn't feel like a University project (whereas in my opinion UD does) because it does a really good job of catering to the local communities around it like West Point Grey, Dunbar, etc.

Interesting observation. Looking at a map, I would've thought Westbrook would be more isolated because of the park between it and WPG and Dunbar.

 

[Infrastructurist]

Interesting observation. Looking at a map, I would've thought Westbrook would be more isolated because of the park between it and WPG and Dunbar.

Honestly, me too and I think everyone actually thinks the same. I guess the biggest thing is the transit links between those two communities and UBC itself which cause westbrook to be a more viable option compared to Kitsilano or businesses on West 4th (also the traffic in kits and w4 are genuinely horrific between the hours of 12pm - 9pm)

 

[NWUrbanism]

Small update on the Dinosaur Stadium website, they are pushing for enough financial commitments to get the project green-lighted by the end of March.

The Dinosaur Stadium page has been updated (SW Corner of 32 Ave @ Collegiate Blvd). Looks like they're scaling back their ambitions a little bit to be a 4,500 seat stadium, but introducing a winter dome. Render is apparently theoretical and not reflective of what the final design will look like, but judging by seating capacity, it looks like it will only be stands on one side for now...still adequately sized for the Wild FC.
View attachment 696566

 

[Alex_YYC]

A few random pics from yesterday’s tour of UD. I’m always surprised at how busy the place is. Not only University Ave but also the side streets.

 

[shermanator]

Love that patio that Native Tongues built. Good way to add a little extra character to the pedestrian experience.

 

[JTron]

Between the University, University District and the University’s Innovation Quarters, the area could becoming something like a Texas Medical Centre, albeit a junior version.

 

[Surrealplaces]

I could see something like that eventually. There is only so much land to develop and as land becomes less available, growth we'll see more vertical growth.

 

[CalgaryTiger]

I could see something like that eventually. There is only so much land to develop and as land becomes less available, growth we'll see more vertical growth.

With the UofC looking to build their own stadium, could the McMahon lands not be developed? I thought they would just sell the land or do a land swap with the city but maybe there's opportunity for them to do more.

 

[trtcttc]

With the UofC looking to build their own stadium, could the McMahon lands not be developed? I thought they would just sell the land or do a land swap with the city but maybe there's opportunity for them to do more.

That stadium plan is supported by the University but they're not really funding it/driving it. I think McMahon area redevelopment isn't happening for a decade at a minimum. The Fieldhouse is still in design and I don't think we're going to get much until that is done.

 

[CalgaryTiger]

I don't think we're going to get much until that is done.

Here's hoping we don't get started on a fieldhouse before the whole McMahon thing is put to bed. The opportunity to do a much better fieldhouse exists if McMahon is out of the way.

 

[trtcttc]

Here's hoping we don't get started on a fieldhouse before the whole McMahon thing is put to bed. The opportunity to do a much better fieldhouse exists if McMahon is out of the way.

I think that trains left the station. Fieldhouse detail design is ongoing now without the McMahon lands. There's plenty enough land for a fieldhouse on the Calgary portion, and you could wait a generation for McMahon to be gone. And I doubt it'll truly ever disappear, maybe just scaled down and modernized, at which point residential and retail can be added to the McMahon lands and complete the area!

 

[CalgaryTiger]

I think that trains left the station. Fieldhouse detail design is ongoing now without the McMahon lands. There's plenty enough land for a fieldhouse on the Calgary portion, and you could wait a generation for McMahon to be gone. And I doubt it'll truly ever disappear, maybe just scaled down and modernized, at which point residential and retail can be added to the McMahon lands and complete the area!

I don't want to pour cold water on this but this is still only in the master plan phase.

Foothills Fieldhouse

www.calgary.ca

Project updates​

---

Winter 2026​

Master Plan underway:​

The Foothills Athletic Park Master Plan is now underway, guiding the location of the new Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse and other recreation amenities, along with a concept design for the fieldhouse. A consultant was selected through the 2024 Request for Proposal (RFP) and is supporting The City in advancing this project.
Significant groundwork has been completed, drawing from previous studies and initiatives, including the 2023 Amenity Refinement Study and the 2021 Foothills + McMahon Concept Plan. Throughout 2025, work focused on revalidating program component and site requirements, as well as completing due diligence for the Foothills site.
Significant work was also completed to prepare the site for future development with the removal of non-operational amenities at Foothills Stadium including spectator seating, concessions, ticket booths, washrooms, the outfield wall and lighting. The baseball diamond remains operational and can be used by the community until the area is needed for construction.

Next Steps:​

In 2026, the project team is focused on finalizing the master plan and implementation strategy, continuing the development of detailed design for the Foothills Multisport Fieldhouse, and completing the technical reports required to support the master plan, implementation strategy and pre-design work.

The actual design stage is still to come.

To reference a previous post in another thread about McMahon, during a Grey Cup news conference it was mentioned that the province is aware of how much of an issue McMahon is. The City is likely aware that the Stampeders and UofC are actively looking at next steps. In my opinion it would be foolish to finalize anything with the fieldhouse, that's just my opinion.

 

[trtcttc]

Unfortunately, there's not a huge political will behind this one so it kind of languishes. They spent a year planning the mix of facilities, another two years to do "concept", in that span, we could've probably built something already. While in an ideal world we'd want to make this whole masterplan for that area and build it, the reality is if we wait for McMahon it turns this into probably a 10 year project instead of 5. McMahon exists, there's no immediate impetus to change it. The Grey Cup is coming with some minor upgrades, there's no Olympic level event in the offing, so there's nothing driving a change, except the same discussion we've had for years about the facility, and will likely for many more years.