Banff Recreation Grounds Renewal

Upcoming Renewal

The Banff Recreation Grounds Redevelopment Plan (PDF) was adopted by council on March 23, 2015. It is a guiding document that guides the redevelopment at the recreation grounds over 10 years (2015-2025).  

Improvements will provide residents and visitors with a mix of new and improved amenities, while supporting increases in visitation to day use facilities. The plan also includes lifecycle maintenance projects.  

Rec Grounds

2023 Projects:

  • Completion of Pavilion building for recreation users and sports groups
  • Informal skating rink
  • Adventure and Nature Playground
  • New bicycle skills park / pump track
  • Improvement and realignment of the gravel trail along the north perimeter of the Recreation Grounds, between the new pedestrian bridge and the dog park
  • Renovation of picnic shelters

Limited parking will be available in the summer of 2023 while work takes place on the playground and bike pump track.

Please note: public washrooms will be closed mid-June. Public washrooms will be available at The Pavilion once it opens in July.

Rec Grounds Map Construction Areas

2024+ projects

  • Construction of the Maintenance Garage
  • Basketball court resurfacing
  • Tennis court resurfacing
  • Picnic tables, benches, waste management throughout the site
  • Water fountains
  • Signage
  • Trails improvements

Each project year may also include smaller projects including signage upgrades, tree planting, natural fitness elements and picnic site improvements.

Click image below to download full PDF of Banff Recreation Grounds Renewal Plan

Recreation Grounds Map Opens in new window

Recreation Grounds Renewal Investment

  • $2.3 million for 2016-20 renewal projects
  • $4.2 million for 2021-22 renewal projects
  • $3.4 million estimated for 2023-25 renewal projects
  • $12.2 million estimated for total 10-year renewal master plan

Government of Alberta contributions to Banff Recreation Grounds Renewal

  • $500,000 for 2022 investments from the Municipal Stimulus Program: 
    • Redeveloped paved central trail
    • Realigned and enhanced gravel multi-use trail along north perimeter
    • New horse trail located parallel to the Cave Avenue pedestrian trail
  • $40,000 in 2018 towards a second community greenhouse
  • $100,000 in 2017 towards the creation of the skateboard park

Completed projects as part of the renewal include:

  • Design of an Adventure and Nature Playground (2022)
  • Installation of water and sewer utilities connecting the northwest corner of the Recreation Grounds to the Town system. Work includes installing pipes under Sundance Road, diagonally between the future location of the pavilion and the greenhouses, and additional fire hydrants (2022)
  • Connect trails to the new Pedestrian Bridge (2022)
  • New off-leash Dog Park (2021)
  • Track rehabilitation and expansion of Sports Field (2021)
  • New/enhanced irrigation system for Ball Diamonds and Sports Field (2021)
  • Rundle Cabin relocation to site, restoration and user group storage (2020)
  • North Adventure Playground beside Skatepark (2019)
  • North parking lot repairs (2019)
  • Norquay, Little Bow and Protection shelter repairs (2019)
  • South parking lot (2018)
  • Ball diamond fencing (2018)
  • Addition of second Community Greenhouse (2018)
  • Trail to greenhouse (2018)
  • Picnic table upgrades (2017)
  • Creation of Skatepark (2017)

Project adjustment

On May 9, 2022, Banff Town Council approved adjustments in the 2022 budget and project plan.

  • The 2022 Recreation Grounds Capital Budget was increased to $4.5 million, from the previously approved $4.2 million for an increase of $291,000, to be fully offset and funded through Capital Grants.
  • The Town recently secured a $375,000 grant (final amount could increase) from the Smart, Sustainable, Resilient Infrastructure Association (SSRIA) due to the pavilion’s exemplary environmental design features.  
  • To avoid the extremely high inflationary cost associated with transportation and the cost of earth fill for creation of the proposed toboggan hill, this component of the recreation grounds renewal was removed from the 2022 plan. The Town will explore options for fill from other construction within the townsite and other regional options for creating a toboggan hill on the site in future years.

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