Maple Ridge, B.C., Aug. 12, 2026 — Maple Ridge residents can continue to learn about the three proposed Recreation Ready projects, including through a new video series, before they vote in the Oct. 17, 2026 municipal election.
Council directed staff to prepare for an assent vote to ask eligible voters whether they support long-term borrowing for three planned recreation projects:
- Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre — a new year-round facility at Hammond Community Park with aquatic, fitness, recreation, arts and community spaces.
- Hammond Multi-Use Community Park — the first phase of a 40-acre park at the current Maple Ridge Golf Course site, with new sports fields, trails, green space and amenities.
- Albion Twin-Rink Arena Expansion — an expansion of the existing Albion arena site to add more ice and dry-floor space, spectator seating, fitness space and event capacity.
Each project will have its own question on the ballot. Voters can vote Yes or No on each project.
Following public information sessions on July 9 and Aug. 5, the City is continuing public education and outreach to help residents understand the proposed projects, estimated costs, funding strategy, timelines and assent vote process through a variety of channels including:
- A weekly Recreation Ready video series launching this week
- A Real Ridge podcast episode, available at MapleRidge.ca/RealRidge
- Handouts and information displays at City facilities
- Updates on City social media channels
- Information in an Election mailout to all households in late September
- Project details, drawings and frequently asked questions at MapleRidge.ca/RecreationReady
Residents can also speak with staff at upcoming pop-up information booths at City parks, facilities and events including Food Truck Fridays at Albion Community Centre on Aug. 14, the Farmers Market at Memorial Peace Park on Sept. 19 and National Tree Day at Volker Park on Sept. 22.
Funding to Deliver the Facilities
Recreation Ready represents the City’s largest-ever recreation investment, with a total preliminary cost estimate of $393 million. The funding strategy spreads out the cost over time and minimizes the impact on taxpayers by using a mix of long-term borrowing at favourable municipal government rates, fees on new development, and potential senior government grants and sponsorships.
The preliminary cost estimates are:
- Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre: $227 million
- Multi-Use Community Park in Hammond, Phase 1: $23 million
- Albion Twin-Rink Arena and Event Facility Expansion: $143 million
These estimates are based on schematic design work. If voters approve one or more borrowing questions, the approved project or projects would move into detailed design, where costs would be refined before construction.
As required by the Local Government Act the City will seek voter assent during the Oct. 17 municipal election before presenting the applicable borrowing bylaw(s) to Council for adoption and, potentially, moving forward with long-term borrowing. Borrowing approval would allow the City to proceed with next steps, including detailed design, public engagement on the design and construction planning.
If the assent vote passes, the City will continue to pursue other revenue sources to reduce the amount borrowed. The City has applied to the federal Build Communities Strong fund, and will continue seeking grants, sponsorships and partnerships as applicable.
About 60 per cent of the long-term borrowing would be repaid through property taxes and about 40 per cent through Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) on new development. The ACCs would be phased in over time and existing development applications would have one year from bylaw adoption to proceed without paying the new charges.
Estimated property tax impact
Based on current cost estimates, the annual property tax impact of the three projects is estimated at an additional three per cent per year for four years, from 2027 to 2030, on top of the property tax base.
For example, a home assessed at $1 million would pay an estimated additional $90 in 2027, increasing annually to about $385 by 2030, or about $32 per month. After 2030, that amount would remain in place each year until the borrowing is repaid. Commercial property owners would also see an estimated additional three per cent per year increase for four years. These estimates do not include taxes or utilities charged by other governments or agencies.
Estimated project timelines
If approved by voters and then adopted by Council, the projects would move ahead in stages. Current estimated construction timelines are:
- Hammond Multi-Use Community Park: Phase 1 construction start in 2027, with completion anticipated in 2029. Phase 2 start depends on funding and future Council direction.
- Albion Twin-Rink Arena and Event Facility Expansion: construction start in 2028
- Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre: construction start in 2029
Timelines may be refined through detailed design, permitting, procurement and future Council decisions.
What the assent vote means
Under provincial legislation, voter assent is required before the City can proceed with long-term borrowing for these projects. Council is responsible for decisions about capital planning, project delivery and final bylaw adoption.
If an assent vote question passes, the new Council will consider final adoption of that project’s loan authorization bylaw. If adopted, the project would move into detailed design, further public engagement, procurement planning and construction preparation.
If an assent vote question does not pass, the City would not proceed with long-term borrowing for that project. Staff would review options and bring recommendations back to Council.
A question passes if more than 50 per cent of valid votes cast on that question are Yes.
About Recreation Ready
The City launched Recreation Ready after completing the recreation facility feasibility study which included preliminary design, technical assessments, transportation impact assessments and two phases of public engagement.
The proposed Recreation Ready projects are intended to Maple Ridge’s growing community and respond to current and future recreation needs, including aging facilities and limited capacity at existing parks, pools and arenas. These include the 45-year-old Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, the 28-year-old Planet Ice arena complex and the 63-year-old Hammond Outdoor Pool.
The 13-acre Hammond Community Park site was chosen for the proposed aquatics and recreation centre because it is large enough for the facility, close to current and future growth along the Lougheed Highway transit corridor, accessible by transit and already City-owned. The Albion Fairground site was reviewed but is not suitable for an aquatics facility due to geotechnical conditions, groundwater levels and other site challenges. Repurposing 40 acres of City-owned parkland currently leased as a golf course into a multi-use community park would broaden public access, add new recreation amenities and expand west-side recreation without buying new land.
Learn more about the plans at MapleRidge.ca/RecreationReady. Information about the Oct. 17 assent vote can be found at MapleRidge.ca/GoVote. Direct inquiries to RecreationReady@MapleRidge.ca.
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Media Contact
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249
E Media@MapleRidge.ca