News Release

Abbottsfield Recreation Centre Opens to the Public

Centre will be community hub for growing neighbourhood

‎Residents of the Abbottsfield neighbourhood celebrated the opening of the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre in Northeast Edmonton.

The $6.8 million facility offers more space and amenities to replace an older, smaller building which no longer met the needs of the community.

“Abbottsfield Recreation Centre will continue to create opportunities for the neighbourhood to connect people and build a vibrant community,” said Mayor Don Iveson. “Facilities such as this one are transforming Edmonton and reflect City Council’s commitment to improving Edmonton’s livability.”

The City of Edmonton provided $1.5 million toward the project, with $5 million from the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative and $300,000 which the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre Society raised through its partners.

“The Alberta government is proud to partner with the City of Edmonton on this project because it’s important that communities have places where residents can connect and focus on well-being,” said Diana McQueen, Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs. “This recreation centre is an example of how the Municipal Sustainability Initiative is helping municipalities plan for the future and develop infrastructure projects that strengthen their community.”

“This new recreation centre is so important to this community,” said Diane Sopher, Chair of the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre Society Board of Directors. “It was designed to be an active social space where friends and neighbours meet to enjoy arts, fitness, cultural and leisure activities.”

Amenities include a gymnasium for sports and recreation groups, a large kitchen that can be used for events and programs, a multi-purpose room for meetings, seminars, celebrations, lectures and youth programs and a room and outdoor play space for a popular preschool program. A large mural on the front of the building was coordinated by the Edmonton Arts Council and created with the input of the local community.

The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation is partnering with the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre Society by providing $1.5 million over four years to support programs and operations and to purchase program furniture, fixtures and equipment for the new facility.

“With a strong focus on health and wellness for youth, the Oilers Foundation was extremely proud to partner with the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre Society on this exciting new facility,” said Richard Wong, Chair of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. “While the infrastructure funding was in place, the Foundation recognized the need for high-quality programming to fill the beautiful and active new space.”

Planning for the Abbottsfield Recreation Centre began in 2011 with construction beginning in April 2013. The design and construction team included Architecture Arndt Tkalcic Bengert and Maple Reinders.