Fairview Arena history

The Fairview Arena was built in 1972 and in 1976, a large hall and two level hall addition were added to become the complex we know. For many years following this upgrading, the Fairview community was bustling, busy and volunteer run.

In early 2005, a need for assessment of the future of the Fairview Community Association was acknowledged. A number of initiatives took place to address how best to gather information required from the membership to help determine the future of the Association.  Ongoing struggles with Board volunteer recruitment, an aging facility, increased operational costs, and labour shortages brought hard decisions. It was clear that the demographics and social dynamics of Fairview had changed in the 45 years since Fairview was established. As well, the operating conditions that allowed a dedicated group of volunteers to build and operate the facility had changed. After careful examination of of the building requirements, and the resident needs and preferences, it was determined that the Association had minimal needs for a facility to carry out its mandate of community and public service. Fairview Community Association's many years of facility management ended December 31, 2006. The City of Calgary undertook their process to find another non-profit group who may be interested in leasing the Arena and the Hall separately.

The Southern Alberta Women's Hockey Association (SAWHA) saw this unique opportunity to operate the Arena for the next 15-years,bring a much needed ice facility back into the City of Calgary inventory and provide a cornerstone for expanding girl's and women's hockey programs in Calgary. A separate non-profit society, the Fairview Women's Hockey Arena Society, was incorporated to operate the Fairview Arena under a 15 year License of Occupation with the City of Calgary.

Fairview Women's Hockey Arena Society (FWHAS)

Vision:
The Fairview Women's Hockey Arena Society will efficiently and effectively operate the Fairview Arena in such a way that it will provide a cornerstone for the long term growth and development of Women's hockey.
Mission:
 To improve the operations of the Fairview Arena so that we can maximize its usage for all ice user groups and the Citizens of Calgary, by ensuring that short and long term repairs and operational changes are planned, started and completed in a timely manner.
Values:
 FWHAS values the contributions made by all volunteers who offer so much of their time and expertise to make the Fairview Arena successful and the volunteers within our user groups who support their organizations. FWHAS also values the positive life lessons learned, by all participants, in team sports, at all ages. FWHAS values the support and interaction with the residents of the Fairview Community.

Southern Alberta Women's Hockey Association (SAWHA)

The Southern Alberta Women's Hockey Association (SAWHA) is a non-profit organization incorporated under the Alberta Societies Act. SAWHA is the principal organizer of senior female hockey in Southern Alberta. SAWHA has 31 Teams which play in three distinct tiers, allowing senior females at all different levels the opportunity to play at their skill level. Hockey is a life long sport which SAWHA strives to support. The teams play out of 8 arenas in Calgary and 7 arenas within 150 kilometres of Calgary. The league focus is to schedule over 400 regular season games, 30 provincial playdown games and over 55 League playoff games, and will also host a Senior Female Provincial Championship on an annual basis. SAWHA is committed to providing quality governance to its members through well thought out Bylaws and Objectives and Operating Rules utilizing proactive thinking and actions; fiscal responsibility; and the promotion of excellence. As well the league enforces policies, resolves disputes, organizes fund raisers and charity events, promotional activities and advances the female game of hockey at all levels.

The objectives of SAWHA are:

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To enjoy the game of hockey and to keep the game at a fun yet competitive level
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To ensure all interested females, 18 years of age and older, have an equal opportunity
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To participate and wherever possible, provide competition at the individual players' level of skill.
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To promote, encourage and increase the growth and awareness in female hockey in Alberta.
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To encourage and foster personal development and leadership qualities of individuals through their participation in female amateur hockey.