Left to right: Michael Roycroft (regional director, Ministry of Forestry and Parks), Minister Todd Loewen, Katelyn Junkin (senior project manager, Ministry of Forestry and Parks), Jodi Reade (senior manager, Ministry of Forestry and Parks), Katrina Terrill (executive director, Friends of Fish Creek Provincial Park Society) at Sikome Lake, which is opening this season with $6 million of renovations completed. Photo supplied

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A summertime staple to beat the heat in Calgary has opened for the 2026 season, following a four-year, $6-million overhaul.

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Sikome Lake in Fish Creek Provincial Park, just east of the southeast neighbourhood of Sundance, opened on June 29.

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The artificial lake has drawn Calgarians to its shores for almost 50 years, according to a news release from Alberta Parks, which operates the facility. Sikome Lake welcomes roughly 100,000 visitors annually who come to lounge on the beach or recreate in its waters.

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The Alberta government has spent $6 million over the past four years to renovate Sikome Lake, which is fed by three freshwater wells with an on-site water treatment plant. Upgrades included two new admissions booths and a new water safety centre, in addition to renovations to five existing buildings, site grading and surface restoration.

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Minor finishing work will continue throughout the 2026 season, Alberta Parks says.

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The new water safety centre includes an on-site first-aid station, safety education resources and storage for aquatic safety equipment.

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Renovated and upgraded buildings include the concession and beach shop, staff services building, north change house, south change house and south administration building.

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“Sikome is an important summer destination for families across Calgary, and especially for my constituents in Calgary-Fish Creek,” area MLA Myles McDougall said in the release. “I’m thrilled to see this investment revitalize the facility so it can safely welcome visitors this season and continue serving our community for years to come.”

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Despite its popularity, Sikome Lake has faced some public relations challenges over the years, such as when Alberta Parks faced backlash in 2016 for beginning to charge visitors a fee to access the lake.

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There was also a drowning in the lake in 2014, when 29-year-old visitor Ali Shaikh failed to resurface after jumping into the water from a raft, while not wearing a life-jacket. Shaikh’s body was discovered two days later.

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An urban myth has persisted among Calgarians for years that a dead horse was discovered at the bottom of the lake. Although no news coverage confirms the incident, it has been a discussion topic on local radio stations.

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