LAKE LOUISE – The Lake Louise Sport and Recreation Centre is officially open.
Unveiled on Monday (June 21) with a ribbon cutting ceremony, the facility received upgrades to its community hall and kitchen as well as new additions such as a multi-purpose room and 24-hour fitness centre to better meet the needs of Lake Louise’s residents.
“We are thrilled to be able to let people in our facility once again,” said Bill Keeling, chair of the Lake Louise Sport & Recreation Centre board of directors.
“It’s been a very difficult year for our community so the timing of the easing of restrictions with the completion of this project truly feels like a weight is lifted off our shoulders. We can once again gather in what we call the hub of the community to improve our physical and mental wellness.”
The original community hall was built in 1985 and after 36 years of memories and good times, it was long overdue for a revamp, said Dave Schebek, municipal council chair of Improvement District No. 9.
“Planning for the building started in 2015 and ultimately came into fruition in June 2020,” he said. “Now a year later, and a whole bunch of blood, sweat and tears to get this done, especially during a pandemic, we’re happy to celebrate the opening.”
On July 1, a smaller version of Canada Day with family events takes place at the Lake Louise rec grounds from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. celebrating the first public, in-person event in over a year and completion of the new facility.
Inside the rec centre, its spacious fitness centre has the distinction of being Lake Louise’s first community gym and is set up with a variety of exercise equipment, machines and free weights, plus, enough room to host group classes.
For a more inclusive feel throughout the building, the rec centre's design for signage, such as for washrooms, was completed with the consultation of the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership and Lake Louise Queers and Allies.
Local photographers' scenic pictures of life in Lake Louise and the Bow Valley are spread the throughout the walls of the new facility. Major funding for the new facility came from the province, the Municipal Affairs Ministry and Alberta Infrastructure.
In 2020, outdoor amenities at the rec grounds were installed for the community such as tennis courts, a jungle gym playground, half basketball court, and skateboard half pipe.
