(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Coaldale residents want climbing wall, indoor playground, trampoline in multi-use rec centre

Feb 26, 2020 | 1:28 PM

COALDALE, AB – The people of Coaldale have had their say on what should be included in a new multi-use rec centre in the community.

A survey came back to town council this week with over 800 people providing input through in-person meetings and an online questionnaire.

They were asked to rank nine different stand-alone amenities that could be included as well as what they think about a variety of shared-space amenities.

A ranking of stand alone amenities. (Supplied by Town of Coaldale)

Shared space amenities that are being considered. (Supplied by Town of Coaldale)

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

For stand-alone amenities, the three most popular choices were a climbing wall, indoor playground, and a trampoline park, in that order.

“What we initially thought with the rec centre, I guess we were more narrowly-scoped into having courts and a place for soccer and [we’re] now getting more broader feedback on climbing walls and that kind of thing. It’s all kind of different facets than what we were initially contemplating,” says Mayor Kim Craig.

If the town is indeed going to go ahead with a facility like this, he says he wants to do it right and for it to be a place that all kinds of people can enjoy.

Of the top three options, however, he believes a trampoline park is the least likely to happen as it carries a significant amount of liability.

For the shared-space amenities, Craig says most could be interchanged in one or two spaces, so it is probable that all or most could be accommodated.

Other common feedback includes a strong desire to have spectator seating, a desire to avoid competing with existing sport/recreation focused businesses, and conflicting feelings on whether this facility should start small and expand over time or have everything built together at once.

The exact costs for any of these features have not yet been determined. Depending on the price tag, the town might look for sponsorships and naming rights.

Preferably for Craig, the multi-use rec centre would coincide with the construction of a new proposed high school.

The provincial government is set to release its new budget on Thursday, February 27, and if the school gets funding, the mayor says it would fast-track the recreational facility.

A tender for construction could go out as early as this fall.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.