Maple Ridge, B.C., June 19, 2026 — Maple Ridge residents can now view schematic design concepts for three major recreation projects as the City moves to replace aging facilities and provide year-round expanded recreation opportunities to meet the needs of the growing community.
The projects include a new Hammond aquatics and recreation centre, a new 40-acre year-round multi-use community park in west Maple Ridge, and a twin-rink arena and event facility expansion at the Albion Fairgrounds. Construction of the first phase of the park is estimated to begin in 2027, followed by the arena expansion in 2028 and the aquatics and recreation centre in 2029.
On June 23, Council will receive a report on the schematic designs, preliminary cost estimates and a recommended funding strategy for the three projects. A Council decision is scheduled for June 30.
The projects are part of the City’s new Recreation Ready program, launched after the completion of the Move, Meet and Play recreation facility feasibility study which included two years of preliminary design work, technical assessments and extensive public engagement on new and expanded facilities.
“When Council began our term, we heard clearly from residents that Maple Ridge needs more recreation amenities to keep pace with our growing community,” said Mayor Ruimy. “This is a major step forward, and we’re pleased to be delivering on that commitment. After two years of public engagement, technical and design work, Recreation Ready gives us a clear path to provide more swimming, fitness and ice time, and park spaces that will serve everyone for years to come.”
Funding Strategy and Assent Vote
With a total preliminary cost estimate of $393 million, Recreation Ready represents the City’s largest-ever recreation investment. 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 as per the Local Government Act. 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.
Meeting the Need for More Recreation Amenities
Maple Ridge is one of the region’s fastest-growing communities, with a population of about 106,000 that is expected to rise almost 40 per cent over the next 25 years.
The city’s recreation system is under increasing pressure. The 45-year-old Maple Ridge Leisure Centre and 28-year-old Planet Ice arena complex are operating beyond capacity, with waitlists for high-demand programs such as swim lessons and ice time. The 63-year-old Hammond Pool is at the end of its service life and requires significant annual repairs, while the city’s signature parks also face heavy summer demand that can exceed the capacity of amenities and parking.
The Recreation Ready projects were developed to respond to priorities identified in the 2023 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan and to meet current and future demand for pools, ice rinks, gathering spaces, parks and other recreation amenities.
The plan also reflects two years of public feedback through the recreation facility feasibility study and other city engagement initiatives. During Phase 2 of engagement, the City received 2,700 survey responses and identified 8,300 distinct sentiments from residents, community organizations and user groups that helped shape the plans and schematic designs.
A detailed assessment of potential sites was completed during the feasibility phase. Traffic impact studies completed for Hammond Community Park and the multi-use community park include recommendations for traffic-calming measures, monitoring and other improvements that will be implemented as part of the City’s Strategic Transportation Plan.
Proposed Amenity Details and Timing
- Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre at 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 hub for swimming, fitness and recreation. Proposed amenities include an accessible 37.5-metre, eight-lane pool, leisure pool with a lazy river, a fitness centre and studios, gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, arts and culture room, café and above and below-ground parking. The preliminary design cost estimate including contingencies is $227 million and estimated construction start date is 2029. The second phase will focus on future park amenities.
- Hammond Multi-use Community Park at the current Maple Ridge Golf Course site: The 40-acre park is envisioned as a welcoming, year-round destination for leisure, sports, walking and play with views of the Fraser River. Phase 1 would include a 400-foot baseball diamond with seating for 400, a 350-foot baseball diamond with seating for 200, dugouts, batting cages, a washroom and fieldhouse, meeting and program room, plaza and parking, new trails and accessible green space. The preliminary design cost estimate for Phase 1 including contingencies is $23 million and estimated start date is 2027. Future amenities in Phase 2 could include trails, picnic areas, play amenities, water spray park and tobogganing, and will be shaped through public engagement.
- Albion Twin-Rink Arena Expansion at the current arena complex at the Albion fairgrounds: The expansion is envisioned as a larger recreation complex that creates more ice/dry floor time and more space for tournaments and events. Planned features include a recreation rink with seating for 200, a spectator rink with seating for 2,000 and premium viewing suites, a large lobby, a fitness centre, a walking track, multi-purpose rooms, a skate shop, concessions and parking. The preliminary design cost estimate including contingencies is $143 million and estimated start date is 2028.
Funding Details
Council directed staff to develop a funding strategy that limits the impact on taxpayers. The proposed funding strategy would spread the cost among both current and future residents who will benefit from the facilities and amenities. Approximately 60 per cent of the long-term borrowing would be repaid through property tax increases and about 40 percent through ACCs. 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.
Based on current cost estimates and proposed funding strategy, the annual property tax impact for homeowners is estimated at three per centper year for four years (2027-2030). For example, a home assessed at $650,000 would pay an additional $55 in 2027 until it reaches $238 annually in 2030. A home assessed at $1 million would pay an additional $90 in 2027, until it reaches $385 in 2030. After that the tax amount would remain at that level each year until the loan is repaid. Commercial property owners would also see a three per cent per year increase for four years.
The City has also applied to the federal Build Communities Strong fund and will continue seeking grants, sponsorships and partnerships to further reduce costs to residents.
“Maple Ridge has taken significant action in response to the mandate from senior levels of government to support new housing, including exceeding provincial housing targets,” said Mayor Ruimy. “We’re now calling on the provincial and federal governments to do their part to support this new housing by helping fund the necessary critical infrastructure and recreation amenities, as high-growth areas such as Town Centre and the Lougheed transit corridor continue to be developed.”
Next Steps and More Information
If Council approves the schematic designs and funding strategy on June 30, the City will provide residents with opportunities to learn about the projects and the have their say on the proposed borrowing for the projects as part of the assent voting process. There will also be opportunities to provide input if projects advance through detailed design and future phases of park planning.
Council will consider the first three readings of a loan authorization bylaw, enabling the City to seek approval from the Inspector of Municipalities and provide notice of the Oct. 17 assent vote to Elections BC in July. The loan authorization bylaw would be adopted if the assent vote passes.
Detailed information about the Recreation Ready projects and funding strategy is now available at MapleRidge.ca/RecreationReady. The page will continue to be updated as the project moves forward.
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Media Contact
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 467-4319 C 778-955-4249 E PPurewal@MapleRidge.ca