The lengthy history of MNP Centre and all its name changes
The MNP Community and Sports Centre has been a staple in Calgary’s recreation scene since the 1980s. Along its journey, it has seen many transformations, including a total of four different name changes.
In 1983, Calgary was set to host the Western Canada Summer Games, and a recreation facility was needed to accommodate them. That July, the Lindsay Park Sports Centre opened its doors for the games, and later in September, it was open to the public.
It quickly became a centre for athletes and the community to train, compete, and play. In 1987, it even won a bronze medal in the IAKS Awards (International Working Group for the Construction of Sport and Leisure facilities) for the design and functionality of the centre.
In 2002, the centre entered a new era after Talisman Energy purchased the naming rights for the facility, renaming it the Talisman Centre, and contributed $10 million over the course of 20 years.
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In 2003, the Talisman Centre received the Calgary Award for Accessibility. It underwent a $24 million expansion that included a new fitness centre called the Dr. Neville Lindsay Sport Wellness Centre, as well as an aquatic centre named the Calgary Foundation Aquaplex.
After nearly 13 years as the Talisman Centre, international company Respol bought out Talisman Energy, and the facility was once again renamed to the Respol Sport Centre in 2016.
The Respol centre remained a staple in the community until 2022, when it entered its newest chapter as the MNP Community & Sports Centre, after the Canadian accounting and consulting firm MNP secured the naming rights.
No matter what name the facility has carried, it’s always been more than just a building. It is a place where Calgarians can come together to swim, compete, and connect. It’s a landmark that lies right in the heart of Calgary’s recreation scene.