We're Recreation Ready

Recreation Ready is Maple Ridge's plan to deliver three major recreation infrastructure projects—a new Aquatics and Recreation Centre, a Twin-Rink Arena Expansion, and a 40-Acre Multi-Use Community Park. Council is considering obtaining funding approval through an assent referendum during the October 17 civic election where you can have your say. 

We've heard you—demand for recreation space in Maple Ridge has outgrown our current facilities. Residents face waitlists for swim lessons and ice time, Hammond Pool has reached the end of its service life, and the City’s high-demand signature parks often exceed their capacity.

With a population of ~106,000 that is expected to rise ~40% over the next 20 years, Maple Ridge is one of the fastest-growing communities in the region and the pressure on our existing parks, arenas, fields, and pools is only going to increase—so we're taking bold action.

Based on community input, technical studies, and priorities identified in the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan, the City is moving forward with three major recreation infrastructure projects to meet current and future demand for pool, ice/dry floor arenas, gathering spaces, parks, and other recreation amenities.  The facilities will create vibrant, inclusive spaces where families thrive, neighbours connect, and all ages have access to recreation.

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Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre

Proposed at Hammond Community Park on the current site of the Larry Walker and Hammond Stadium ballfields, Hammond Hall and the Hammond Outdoor Pool, the new facility is envisioned as a year-round community hub for swimming, fitness, and recreation. It will be a place for residents to stay active, athletes to compete, children to thrive, and friends to connect.

Proposed features include: 

Relocating two baseball fields to nearby City-owned parkland will create space for the new aquatics and recreation centre while expanding recreation opportunities across both sites. The preliminary design cost estimate including contingencies is $227 million and the estimated construction start date is 2029. Refer to the Funding and Timeline sections below for details.

Learn more about the Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre and sign up to receive project updates at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/HARC.

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Albion Twin-Rink Arena Expansion

Proposed at the current Albion fairgrounds arena complex, the expansion would create more ice/dry floor time and more space for tournaments and events.  The state-of-the-art arena will be a place to meet, grow, and cheer as a new rallying point of local pride.

Proposed features include:

Early assessments in the Recreation Facility Feasibility Study identified that Hammond Community Park could not support both an aquatics facility and a twin-sheet arena. As a result, the City is planning for two new ice sheets/dry floors to add to the existing complex at Albion Fairgrounds to help meet current and future demand. The preliminary design cost estimate including contingencies is $143 million and the estimated construction start date is 2028. Refer to the Funding and Timeline sections below for details.

Learn more about the Albion Arena Expansion and sign up to receive project updates at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Arenas.

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A Multi-Use Community Park

This land was purchased in 1971 for future park use and is currently the site of the Maple Ridge Golf Course. Relocating the existing Hammond baseball facilities to this new park creates compatible space at the current Hammond Community Park for the new aquatics and recreation centre without incurring the substantial costs of purchasing additional land. This practical, cost-effective solution meets today’s needs while opening precious green space for future generations.

Phase 1 provides public walking trails throughout acres of park greenspace, parking, plaza, washrooms & fieldhouse and a 400-foot baseball diamond with seating for 400, along with a 350-foot baseball diamond with seating for 200. Amenities for Phase 2 will be shaped through the next phase of community engagement as the broader vision for the park is developed.  

Proposed Phase 1 features include:

Potential Phase 2 amenities include:

The preliminary design cost estimate including contingencies is $23 million and the estimated construction start date is 2027. Amenities for Phase 2 of the multi-use park will be determined based on future engagement with the community.

Refer to the Funding and Timeline sections below for details.

Learn more about the multi-use community park and sign up to receive project updates at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/MultiUsePark.

Learn More

Funding: How Will the City Pay for These Recreation Amenities?

Council has directed staff to develop a funding strategy that limits the impact on taxpayers while sharing costs between current and future residents who will benefit from the new facilities and amenities.

With a total preliminary cost estimate of $393 million, the City is proposing to fund the three projects through a mix of long-term borrowing at favourable municipal rates, phased in Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs), senior government grants, and potentially sponsorships.

The borrowing portion would require voter approval through an assent vote during the Oct. 17 local government election. Voters would be asked to authorize borrowing up to the maximum amount needed to allow the projects to proceed as planned, while the City continues to pursue other funding sources that could reduce the amount ultimately borrowed. Approximately 60% of the borrowing would be repaid through property tax increases and about 40% through ACCs. The charges would be phased in over time and existing development applications would have one year from bylaw adoption to proceed without paying the new charges.

Based on current cost estimates and proposed funding strategy, the annual property tax impact for homeowners and commercial property owners is estimated at three per cent per year for four years (2027-2030).  For example:

• A home assessed at $650,000 would pay an additional $55 in 2027, then incrementally more each year up to $238 annually in 2030
• A home assessed at $1 million would pay an additional $90 in 2027, then incrementally more each year up to $385 in 2030
• A home assessed at $1.3 million would pay an additional $110 in 2027, then incrementally more each year up to $476 in 2030

After 2030 the additional tax amount would remain at that level each year until the loan is repaid.

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Residents will continue to be informed through transparent, consistent, and timely communication and engagement as new developments for the Recreation Ready program and individual projects progress.

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How Did We Develop the Recreation Ready Program?