Beach volleyball in central Alberta is set for a major boost as Volleyball Alberta and the Government of Alberta will each contribute $500,000 toward the development of a 16- court outdoor beach volleyball training and tournament facility at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP). This project is one of 20 sport and recreation infrastructure projects supported through the provincial government's Active Communities Initiative across Alberta, worth a total of $14 million.
Team Alberta competing in beach volleyball at the 2025 Canada Summer Games (Credit: John Clark)
"Our government is proud to provide grant funding towards Volleyball Alberta's new beach volleyball courts on the Red Deer Polytechnic campus," says Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport, Government of Alberta. "This project is a great example of the Active Communities Initiative in action, creating more opportunities for young athletes to play, train, compete and connect."
Beyond enhancing sport development, the project will also contribute to Alberta's economy. Collectively, the 20 Active Communities Initiative projects are expected to generate more than $46 million in economic activity while creating jobs and strengthening communities across the province.
"We are excited to strengthen our relationship with Volleyball Alberta and support both recreational and high-performance beach volleyball on main campus," says Trent Rix, Executive Director, Ancillary and Sport Services, Red Deer Polytechnic.
The new courts will build on an already successful partnership between Volleyball Alberta and RDP. Each year, the Polytechnic hosts approximately 10 Volleyball Alberta Premier indoor tournaments in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, in RDP's main campus gyms and at several Red Deer schools, welcoming approximately 20,000 athletes and spectators from across the province to Red Deer.
"This initiative will also create new opportunities for the RDP Kings, Queens, students and community members to participate in beach volleyball," adds Rix. "By expanding recreation opportunities, the project will help support athlete development, active lifestyles and overall well-being."
Located north-west of RDP's Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, the new beach volleyball facility will be surrounded by berms on the north, west, and south sides providing natural tiered viewing areas for spectators and added protection from the wind. Its proximity to the Centre will give athletes convenient access to changerooms, food and beverage services and fitness amenities. A nearby tournament building will provide storage, event support and water access during training and competition.
"This project is about more than courts in the sand; it's about creating opportunities for people to connect through sport," says Diane Clarke, CEO, Volleyball Alberta. "The new facility will serve athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, families, and community members while supporting recreation, development, and competition at every level of the game. Together with the Government of Alberta and Red Deer Polytechnic, we're helping create a hub for beach volleyball in Central Alberta that will strengthen our volleyball community and create lasting benefits for years to come."
Looking ahead to 2028, the facility will host several Volleyball Alberta beach tournaments throughout the spring and summer, while also serving as a venue for training and development camps, recreational leagues, and high-performance athlete training.
The new project is a natural fit for Red Deer Polytechnic, whose Kings and Queens volleyball programs have established a tradition of excellence. The Kings have captured 22 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championships and 15 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national titles, the most of any post-secondary institution in the league. The Queens have earned 20 ACAC championships and three CCAA national gold medals.
Construction on the beach volleyball courts will start in spring 2027.
For more information about sports and recreation opportunities at RDP, visit: https://rdpolytech.ca/student-life/sports-recreation.
