Calgary (Muhammad Amanullah): The Pakistan Canada Association (PCA) Calgary has praised the efforts of Mayor Jeromy Farkas, Ward 5 City Councillor Raj Dhaliwal and the City of Calgary administration, describing the project as a major milestone for young people and the wider community.
The launch of construction on a modern sports and community facility in Northeast Calgary is being viewed as an important step in the city’s development. The Pakistan Canada Association has welcomed progress on the $170.4 million Northeast Athletic Complex and congratulated Mayor Jeromy Farkas, Ward 5 Councillor Raj Dhaliwal and the City of Calgary administration on moving the project forward.
PCA President Azhar Hunjra said investment in development projects that address the needs of different communities across the city was highly commendable. He noted that access to modern sports and recreational facilities had long been an important need for residents of Northeast Calgary. The project is expected to provide young people with opportunities to develop their abilities while offering families more options for healthy recreational activities.
PCA President Azhar Hunjra, Vice President Hassan Nawab, General Secretary Nauman Mushtaq and other association office-bearers also extended their best wishes to Mayor Jeromy Farkas, Councillor Raj Dhaliwal, all councillors involved in the project’s planning and approval, and the relevant city officials.
The groundbreaking ceremony in Northeast Calgary marked the beginning of the next phase of this major development. Spread across approximately 35 acres, the complex will feature more than 162,000 square feet of indoor facilities, positioning it to become one of the city’s prominent sports and community centres.
The development will include a dedicated cricket ground, four outdoor multi-purpose artificial turf fields, an indoor fieldhouse designed for year-round use, cricket batting nets and modern facilities for athletes.
Plans also include spectator seating, parking for more than 550 vehicles, landscaped green spaces, walking paths, picnic areas and children’s play spaces.
One of the project’s key features is its dedicated cricket infrastructure, which is particularly significant for Pakistani, South Asian and other cricket-loving communities in Calgary. The facilities are expected to create new opportunities for local young people to participate in the sport, receive training and improve their skills.
Azhar Hunjra further said that genuine urban development is achieved when the needs of residents in all parts of a city are given equal importance. He added that a facility of this kind in a rapidly growing area such as Northeast Calgary could contribute not only to the promotion of sports but also to stronger connections and greater harmony among different communities.
The Pakistan Canada Association, which has been actively representing and supporting Calgary’s Pakistani community for several decades, expressed hope that the project would become a lasting asset for future generations.
The association congratulated Mayor Jeromy Farkas, Councillor Raj Dhaliwal and the entire City of Calgary team, reaffirming its commitment to encouraging initiatives that support community development, create better opportunities for young people and contribute to the city’s collective prosperity.
