Sports and Recreation

Calgary was an appropriate choice as host of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games - opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation abound. For information about recreational activities, programs and facilities visitors can phone the city's recreation department by dialing 311 in Calgary or (403) 268-2489.

In winter public skiing facilities at Canada Olympic Park and in numerous areas nearby are available. Canada Olympic Park also is where to go for other winter sports, such as luge, bobsledding, ski jumping and snowboarding.

At Talisman Centre, 2225 Macleod Tr. S., swimming, track events and weight lifting are among the popular activities; phone (403) 233-8393. Similar facilities are offered at the following leisure centers: Eau Claire YMCA, 101 3rd St. S.W.; YWCA, 320 5th Ave. S.E.; Southland Leisure Center, 19th Street and Southland Drive S.W.; and Village Square Leisure Center, 2623 56th St. N.E. The latter two offer wave pools.

Ice skating is featured during the winter at Olympic Plaza as well as year-round at more than two dozen other locations. The Olympic Oval, at 2500 University Dr. N.W., is the site of the 1988 Olympic speed-skating events; skate rentals are available.

Several parks are in the city, particularly along the Bow River. Fish Creek Provincial Park has a visitor center and a small lake providing swimming in summer and ice skating in winter. Joggers and bicyclists use the park's extensive trail system. Other recreation sites include Bowness, Edworthy and Riley parks in northwest Calgary and Prince's Island Park in the city center. The 145-hectare (360-acre) Glenmore Reservoir provides ample space for sailing and canoeing; the Dragon Boat races are held in late July.

With spectacular natural areas nearby, many visitors to Calgary will be lured to the wilds to enjoy canoeing, camping, rafting, hiking and other outdoor pursuits. Walking and bicycling trails meander through these regions, as do cross-country skiing routes. Tennis and swimming enthusiasts will find courts and pools throughout Calgary.

Golf lovers can play at more than 40 local courses, including 18 holes at Maple Ridge, 1240 Mapleglade Dr. S.E.; McCall Lake, 1600 32nd Ave. N.E.; McKenzie Meadows, 17215 McKenzie Meadows Dr. S.E.; and Shaganappi Point, 1200 26th St. S.W. Nine-hole courses are at Confederation, 3204 Collingwood Dr. N.W.; Lakeview, 5840 19th St. S.W.; and Richmond Green, 2539 33rd Ave. S.W. Some private courses accept visiting golfers; check locally for greens fees and restrictions.

With names like Flames, Stampeders, Roughnecks, and Hitmen, Calgary's major sports teams cannot help but be exciting. The Flames play ice hockey at Pengrowth Saddledome in Stampede Park; phone (403) 777-2177.

The local Canadian Football League team, the Calgary Stampeders, pounds the turf at McMahon Stadium on Crowchild Trail N.W., off 16th Avenue. Tickets can be obtained by phoning the box office at (403) 289-0258. Ticket prices are $27-$80; over 60 and under 18, $23-$80.

Race City Motorsport Park, 11550 68th St. S.E., features professional and amateur auto racing on a dragstrip, a high-banked oval and a 3-kilometre (2-mi.) roadcourse; phone (403) 272-7223. For those wishing to get behind the wheel, Kart World Family Fun Center, 5202 1st St. S.W., offers go-carts, which can be rented. Helmets, clothing and instructions are provided. Tamer tracks for children also are available; phone (403) 253-8301.

Horse racing, including Thoroughbred and harness varieties, is featured at Stampede Park. The park's entrances are at the intersection of 4th Street and 14th Avenue S.E., and on 25th Avenue off Macleod Trail; phone (403) 261-0214 for race dates and (403) 261-0120 for clubhouse reservations. Legalized gambling casinos and "bingo barns" are available if you care to try your luck.

Spruce Meadows, an outdoor equestrian center and show jumping venue 3 kilometres (2 mi.) west on Hwy. 22X (Spruce Meadows Trail) from Macleod Trail, has world-class programs, including international show jumping events. On days when no shows are scheduled the grounds are open free to the public, daily 9-5. Visitors are invited to wander the grounds, picnic and view horses in the stables; phone (403) 974-4200 for a schedule of Spruce Meadows events.