Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre

Nestled in the heart of Banff National Park, the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre has long been a place where the community comes together to play, celebrate, and make memories. 

Originally built in the 1960s, Fenlands carried decades of history but was beginning to show its age. For nearly twenty years, we worked with the Town of Banff to dream, plan, and bring to life a transformation that honours its past while embracing its future. Together, we envisioned a space that would reflect the beauty of Banff’s alpine surroundings while serving both residents and visitors for generations to come.
 

The revitalization reimagined Fenlands as a bright, welcoming facility filled with new opportunities. The original hockey arena was completely renewed, a brand-new NHL-sized ice rink and four-sheet curling rink were added, and gathering spaces now overlook the action below. At every step, we sought to keep the building’s spirit alive—repurposing beautiful glulam beams from the original curling club as striking architectural features that nod to Banff’s heritage while reducing cost and waste.

But Fenlands is more than a place for sports. It’s a place for everyone, from national curling tournaments to summer weddings framed by panoramic mountain views to quiet afternoons spent watching the peaks through expansive windows. Every detail, from natural stone to exposed timber, was chosen to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and reflect the community’s character and pride.

Today, the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre stands as a testament to thoughtful design, community collaboration, and environmental stewardship. And with future expansions already underway, GEC’s partnership with the Town of Banff continues—ensuring this cherished gathering place will grow alongside the people it serves, always rooted in the stunning landscape that makes Banff so unique.