Oh Calgary West, when I was a youngin' playing soccer, you didn't exist, but now as an adult, I can…read morego freeze my buns off watching games in your bubble. Wha? The SE Soccer Centre used to have a bubble (giant inflatable space containing 4 indoor fields), but collapsed for the last time and will never be resurrected. This is all you get at Calgary West. All bubble, all the time. But I am really hoping since this soccer dome was built after the millennium, I am hoping they invested on better building materials for this bubble construction. All you need to know is it is quite cold when participating as a spectator. The fields are money though, they have change rooms for the teams to use before and after their match. There is a little coffee/snack bar, and the ladies who run it are really nice and will give you a ziploc bag full of ice if you request it, cause your significant other injured his hand during the warm up. AND No more entry fees!!!!!!! I used to rue the day and think of elaborate ways to sneak past the gatekeeper so I didn't have to pay $2 to WATCH someone play non-professional soccer. But now it's free to enter, (as it should be) and I can go on strolling in as if I own* the place. *does not own the Calgary West Soccer Centre

Soccer domes are a bit weird to me. But I guess that is what you get when you live in a cold…read moreclimate and expect kids to play soccer year round. This soccer dome has a newer, cleaner feel to others I've been in. There is less seating for parents and there is no link from the change rooms to the field which seems strange. Kids carry their stuff from one building to another. It also has a "middle of nowhere" kind of feel to it. On a happier note the fields are well maintained and the lighting is brighter and better than in other domes around the city. There is also plenty of parking which is nice.

It has great help and also a lot of stock, recommended for rugby football soccer and volleyball…read moreplayers!

Back in the day, my best friend used to be a soccer superstar. Him and his friends would live,…read morebreathe and had it been possible, eat soccer. His birthday was last week and after all these years I wanted to surprise him with a trip down memory lane. To find the perfect gift I of course, went where he and all his soccer friends always used to go: Kicks. Kicks is not only a soccer supermart,but it specializes in all sports gear and equipment. Whether you're shopping for that soccer, football or tennis player in your life, Kicks will most definitely deliver. Plus they sell hot kicks as well. Imagine that. They've got the hottest sneakers of the season in all your favourite brand names. And as if that wasn't enough, if you can get your hands on a Student Union Ticket Pack book, you can save $10 off a purchase of $70, or 15% off your total bill. Cha-ching!

Train RIGHT - Compete - get RESULTS…read more Are you training for a race? Competitive athlete? You've got to check out TCR. It's been some time that I trained with Cory (the owner of TCR). He coached me back in my rugby days when I played for Calgary in the RCSL (Rugby Canada Super League). However, today a buddy called me and said, "hey, I'm buying a mountain bike, where should I go?" Well, TCR offers mostly road bikes for Tri & IronMan. They do have a mountain bike on the showroom floor but it just might be overkill for my buddy. That said, what TCR does do is bike fittings. If you're going to INVEST in a bike, invest in a bike that actually fits YOU. Think... life time value of my investment... think like that, spend the small fee on a fitting and you'll buy a bike that is kind to your body over the coming years of millions of peddle rotations... Cory (the owner) or Rich will fit you... and THEN you go invest your money in the right bike... be it there at TCR or another store. Secondly, if you're competing... they'll inspire the athlete within! Take their VO2 Max test... you'll HATE the test - I did - but you'll quickly learn what zone you should train in and at what level of intensity. Again, train on your own without this knowledge... how will you know you're training efficiently? TCR is a small boutique lab & retail store in Kensington (not on Parkdale as the Yelp address states) They're just above Mission Snow Boards and in the same strip mall as Nellies Breakfast. The staff know there stuff ...be it bikes, lab testing, nutrition, service, repair, bike storage, Cancervive, Tri's, Ironman... You're an athlete in training? Rugby, Soccer... even biking... stop by TCR for a little lab work. Put it this way, just a few years back when Theo Fleury got back into shape for Flames camp, Cory was his trainer! Theo showed up to camp as the 8th most fittest athlete. I take competition seriously, if you do too... go to TCR. PS: I don't charge extra for typo's - they're just my gift to you ;-)

I've never been in a place that has tried to ignore me as hard as this place. Guess I'm not getting…read morea saddle, insoles and the bike fitting I was looking for here... maybe even computrainer classes and coaching. Oh well, guess I'll stick to speed theory and bow cycle. Thanks for nothing, guess you guys aren't used to seeing coloured people in there.

A good friend of mine is a soccer superstar and his birthday was last week so of course, I didn't…read morethink twice before heading over to The Soccer Shop to peruse possible gift ideas. As the name suggests, The Soccer Shop is fully equipped with EVERYTHING soccer. They have a very impressive selection of brand name footwear including, but not limited to, goods by Nike, Umbra, Adidas, and Puma. Plus you know what? They custom-make soccer balls? Seriously?!?!? YES. Considered as one of Calgary's most useful resources for local soccer teams and clubs, The Soccer Shop will blow your soccer-loving self away. And hey, don't worry, if YOU specifically aren't a soccer star perse ;), they've got plenty of knowledgeable and helpful staff members on hand who will be more than happy to help with questions and suggestions.

I was warned by some casual fellow soccer sports enthusiast a few years back about these folks,…read morewith what I assumed to be a personal grudge but to be on the safe side I took my team uniform purchase to another store, and am now quite glad I did. I recently went back to this place over some bad merchandise previously purchased there and have been given the most unbelievable run around I have had in any store for years. There is definitely the buyer beware mentality here, You would be very well advised shop around before going here, or take your business else ware all together. This is THE Worst soccer store ever.

I had an entire season where we didn't play here and now upon our return, some modifications have…read morehappened to the NE Sports Facility. The first major change was getting rid of two of the dedicated soccer pitches. The pinball field is no more and now looks like it is a multi-level obstacle course. The field that is right by the entrance, the carpet has been uplifted and now you have a dedicated floor/ball hockey rink. The largest soccer field at the back remains, but the surface is in a bit of disrepair causing rolled and sprained ankles to several of our players. But now they are renting out the walls for advertising bucks! Hopefully this added revenue will allow for a modified surface at some point in the future. The weight area has also had a face lift and they have added a batting cage. The basketball court remains the same. It is nice to see some improvements to this centre that are also helping to expand in its diversification of "sports" offered.

I seem to spend a significant amount of my life at the Okotoks Recreation Center due to CAHL…read morecommitments. But that's ok, because this facility has a lot going for it - for just about anyone. I didn't really give the "for just about anyone" aspect much thought, until one Friday evening . . . Walking through the lobby towards the rinks, I noticed how many teens were cruising around the building, or just generally hanging out.... not going anywhere in particular, and not carrying any athletic gear. It was notable by their numbers. "Why," I wondered? Is Xbox Live down? Well, it turns out that this facility offers up "teen night" every Friday. For a couple of bucks they gain admission, and they can use the pool, gymnasium, the games area (or "Youth Center") downstairs, etc. Pretty cool, really. Giving teens something non-destructive to do. Otherwise, year round a lot is offered at the ORC: two hockey rinks, curling rinks, a gymnasium, a pool, a skateboard park, an outdoor water "spray park" for the kiddies, soccer and baseball fields... and a fitness club (Natural High Fitness). They even stage a rodeo in the big Murray arena in the summer. This place is a big positive in the community. It gives area residents ample opportunity to get off their butts and stay active.

This place is very fun and amazing!! Has so many fun activities!! You seen so many kids and amazing…read morepeople!! The food is great and overall a amazing experience !! Can't wait to come back!

Booked Feature Gym 3 for an hour on Friday night. Cost was good. W had a great time playing…read morevolleyball. The hour rental gave us private locker rooms with bathrooms for our private use. That was a great bonus. This place is huge! The nicest community gym I've been too. We will be back.