Maple Ridge city council is moving ahead with plans for new recreation facilities, including the redevelopment of the Maple Ridge Golf Course into a 40-acre, multi-use community park.
Calling it the city’s largest-ever investment in community recreation, the city also plans a new aquatics and rec centre at Hammond Community Park to replace the aging outdoor pool there, and the addition of two new ice sheets at the Albion Fairgrounds.
Council reviewed the final Recreation Facility Feasibility Study, prepared by a consultant, which shows broad public support for new recreation facilities and park space.
A staff report noted the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre is 44 years old, the Planet Ice Arena Complex 27, and they are at capacity. The Hammond Outdoor Pool, 65, is considered at the end of its useful life.
The Hammond Outdoor Pool and Hammond Hall would be replaced with with modern, year-round indoor pools, fitness spaces, a gymnasium, and community program areas. A smaller sized baseball diamond will remain to support local youth programs.
The arena expansion would add two new NHL-sized ice/dry floor sheets and create a five-sheet hub including the curling rink.
The 40-acre park would be on city-owned lands leased for the Maple Ridge Golf Course. Phase One would include stadium-style baseball fields, with future amenities such as walking trails, multi-sport and pickleball courts, play features, and gathering spaces.
Mayor Dan Ruimy said the site could be like Rocky Point in Port Moody, where the city hosts festivals and there is bandstand area.
“That is, for all intents and purposes, our Rocky Point,” said Ruimy. “That’s the vision. You can have the sports fields, but it’s much more than that. It’s a community place where people can gather and have picnics.”
The feasibility study confirms broad public support for these new amenities, despite members of the community who have been opposed to losing the golf course, adding large facilities to their neighbourhoods, or increasing government spending.
More than 2,700 residents completed a survey, there were five open houses, and 13 key interest holder meetings were held, making it one of the city’s most comprehensive engagement processes to date.
Nearly 70 per cent of participants supported the aquatics and recreation centre concept, with strong support also shown for the arena expansion. Feedback highlighted interest in expanded outdoor recreation amenities, along with considerations related to traffic, location suitability, and financial feasibility.
Many residents expressed enthusiasm for increased outdoor park space on the west side of Maple Ridge, while others shared a desire to preserve golf course use.
The study reported receiving 740 comments to keep the golf course, saying it is well used and affordable.
The arena plans have hit a bump in the road. In 2024, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) approved the city’s application for a fourth ice sheet at Albion Fairgrounds, however, a 2025 application to add a fifth ice sheet was denied due to unresolved drainage impacts on adjacent private land and the broader Albion Flats area.
“We remain confident that we can responsibly manage on-site stormwater and improve drainage within the Albion Flats area,” said Valoree Richmond, director of facilities, parks and properties. “The city has a long history of stewardship at the Albion Fairgrounds site and continues to work collaboratively with regional and provincial agencies on long-term watershed management.”
At council’s direction, the projects will be headed for a schematic design process. Staff has been told to fund them with an aim to minimize the impact on taxpayers. That includes senior government grants, corporate sponsorships or partnerships, city reserves, and borrowing. Council meets about the issue on Dec. 16.