CALGARY, AB, September 23, 2026 — The Calgary Minor Soccer Association (CMSA) is pleased to share that The City of Calgary has determined the Shane Homes West Soccer Dome can remain at the current site while the City proceeds with the expansion of the Bearspaw Water Treatment Facility.
This outcome is important for Calgary’s soccer community. Since 2004, CMSA has owned and operated the facility which not only supports Calgary’s fastest growing sport, but is home to over 50 different user groups. This includes professional teams to grassroots organizations, schools, and community groups from across the city.
Closing or relocating the facility would have disrupted sport programming across the board for the thousands of families who rely on the site. Keeping the facility at its current location will also help CMSA keep player fees as low as possible while continuing to provide accessible, year-round soccer opportunities for families across Calgary.
It is also important to note that neither the facility nor CMSA receives any operational funding from the municipal or provincial governments, making the facility a self-sustaining community asset that delivers significant public benefit without relying on ongoing taxpayer support.
The City’s decision provides important continuity for our sporting community, and in particular CMSA’s players, families, clubs and volunteers during the construction period. Although the current lease expires in 2029, CMSA is working closely with the City to extend the lease and address Calgary’s broader shortage of high-quality, year-round soccer facilities.
In addition to extending the lease, CMSA is advocating for The City to fund the following GamePLAN projects to be funded in the next four-year budget cycle:
- Fund and advance the Rocky Ridge Fieldhouse; and
- Fund and advance the Southland Fieldhouse.
“Remaining at Shane Homes West provides important near-term stability for our soccer community.” said Carlo Bruneau, Executive Director, Calgary Minor Soccer Association. “The next step is ensuring long-term certainty beyond 2029 and addressing the shortage of indoor field space across Calgary. We are asking The City to work with CMSA on a clear plan for the site and on the delivery of additional facilities as Calgary reaches its 2 millionth resident in the coming years.”
Indoor City fieldhouses must meet the needs of the Calgary soccer community.
Additionally, CMSA is calling on The City to ensure all indoor City fieldhouses are designed to meet the practical needs of the soccer community, with meaningful CMSA involvement from planning through design and operations.
Facilities intended to host league and tournament play should include:
- 11v11 full-size field: 110 metres in length by 70 metres in width;
- Safety run-off areas: 5 metres behind each goal and 2 metres along the touchlines;
- Adequate change rooms for teams and referees;
- Appropriate ceiling height;
- Considerate spectator seating and viewing.
These standards support safe play, full-field competition, player development and flexible programming for different age groups and game formats.
“Player safety and community standards must be central considerations in the design and development of all indoor fieldhouses,” added Bernie Morton, President, Calgary Minor Soccer Association. “Building an indoor fieldhouse is not simply a matter of laying down turf and putting up goalposts. We would never consider shortening an ice rink or reducing the dimensions of a football field, and soccer should not be shortchanged. Proper field dimensions and run-off areas are fundamental to keeping athletes safe. CMSA must be meaningfully involved in the design process to ensure each facility supports safe, high-quality play.”
A coordinated network of indoor fieldhouses would expand access to quality playing space and create lasting community assets for league play, tournaments, training and other programming. CMSA is calling on City Council and Administration to work with the organization on next steps, including timelines, funding strategies, site planning, and community-informed design.
About the Calgary Minor Soccer Association
CMSA represents 31 Member Clubs and is the largest sport organization in Calgary providing year-round activity for youth ages 6-19. Each year, over 2,100 youth teams and approximately 33,000 players participate in CMSA programs supported by over 3,100 community volunteers. CMSA is responsible for scheduling league games, hosting post-season play and tournaments, providing coach education and resources, offering referee mentorship and support while working with our stakeholders to grow and support soccer in Calgary.