Thank You for Applying for Membership at the Calgary Winter Club

For more than six decades, the Calgary Winter Club (CWC) has been a place where Members enjoy an active lifestyle and social connection under one roof, supported by top-notch facilities, strong programming, and a vibrant community. As a long-standing institution in Calgary, the Club has been shaped by shared values of integrity, community, wellness, and respect. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging environment, where Members build lasting friendships and enjoy enriching social and wellness experiences, continues to set the CWC apart as an exceptional place to belong.

Why a Waitlist – and Why It’s a Good Thing
Current demand for Membership at the CWC is at an all-time high, reflecting the appeal of our welcoming atmosphere and close-knit community. Demand has also grown following a recent Membership vote approving an exciting expansion project that will add fantastic new amenities to the Club, including a new Nordic spa, enhanced racquets facilities, Pickleball, golf simulators, and much more.

The Club carefully manages the pace at which new Members are introduced.  This ensures the Club remains lively and engaged, but not congested or overcrowded, and that programs and facilities remain comfortably accessible. This kind of intentional capacity management is an important way we protect both the experience of the Members and the long-term value of Membership itself.

Pathway to Membership
Those wishing to join the Club begin by submitting this Membership application.

At this time, the CWC is accepting applications for the Inactive Waitlist, which is the first of three steps along the pathway to Full, Active Membership:

1. Inactive Waitlist (current entry point)
2. Active Waitlist (limited access to the Club)
3. Active Membership
   
   

All newly approved applicants are placed on the Inactive Waitlist (Step 1) and then move to the Active Waitlist (Step 2) in strict chronological order as space becomes available. From there, Members progress from the Active Waitlist to Full, Active Membership (Step 3). Movement across all three steps is coordinated and occurs as space becomes available through natural attrition within the Club.

All new applicants follow this same three-step pathway. The earlier you apply and are approved, the sooner you will move through each stage toward Full, Active Membership. Based on current conditions, the estimated time from joining the Inactive Waitlist to reaching Full, Active Membership is between 3 to 5 years.

Current Entrance Fee Levels

• Current 2025/2026 Entrance Fee for Family Membership: $55,000 + GST
• Current 2025/2026 Entrance Fee for Single Membership: $35,000 + GST

The Path to Membership

Step 1 – Inactive Waitlist (Current Entry Point)
The CWC Active Waitlist has recently reached capacity. New, approved applicants are now placed on the Inactive Waitlist, which is the first of three steps along the pathway to full, Active Membership.

Getting onto the Inactive Waitlist early is important: applying and being approved now means you will be among the first on this new waitlist and therefore positioned to move more quickly to the Active Waitlist as spaces open.

Key details for the Inactive Waitlist:

• Applicants on the Inactive Waitlist are held in strict chronological order and will move to the Active Waitlist as space becomes available.
• A 25% Entrance Fee deposit is required upon application based on the current Entrance Fee at the time of joining the Inactive Waitlist:

• Current Family Membership Deposit: $13,750 + GST
• Current Single Membership Deposit: $8,750 + GST

Individuals on the Inactive Waitlist:

• Are not billed for, or issued a CWC Member Share
• Do not have access to CWC facilities or programs
• Do not pay usage/Membership dues 
  Remain subject to any increases  in the Entrance Fee until they move to the Active Waitlist
• When an Active Waitlist Member moves to Full, Active Membership, the next person on the Inactive Waitlist is invited to move to the Active Waitlist, maintaining a coordinated progression through all three steps.

The Inactive Waitlist is managed in strict chronological order; applicants are added and moved forward based on the date their application was submitted, once it has been approved by the Membership Committee.

Refund Option While on the Inactive Waitlist: Approved applicants who have paid an Entrance Fee deposit and have been placed on the Inactive Waitlist may request to cancel their application and withdraw from the waitlist. Provided the applicant has not yet moved to the Active Waitlist, the CWC will refund the Entrance Fee deposit paid, less a $1,000 + GST administration fee.  Applicants that are not approved for Membership will receive a refund of the full deposit paid.

Step 2 – Active Waitlist (Currently Full)
The Active Waitlist is the second step on the pathway to full, Active Membership.

When it is below the capacity threshold set by the Board of Directors, approved applicants may be placed directly onto the Active Waitlist. At present, the Active Waitlist is full, so movement onto it occurs from the Inactive Waitlist in strict chronological order as space becomes available.

At the time of moving to the Active Waitlist:

• The Entrance Fee is locked in at the rate in effect on that date, protecting the Member from any future Entrance Fee increases
• The applicant is billed and issued a $100 Calgary Winter Club share and becomes a Shareholder Member of the CWC
• The initial 25% deposit already paid is applied toward the total Entrance Fee.
  The remaining balance of the Entrance Fee becomes due and can be paid in a lump sum or through a CWC Entrance Fee Payment Plan (fees apply)
• The Entrance Fee becomes non-refundable and non-transferable once the applicant has moved to the Active Waitlist
• Membership dues commence in accordance with the applicable Membership category
• Individuals on the Active Waitlist gain access to the Club in accordance with the current Active Waitlist access policies (typically limited access during non-peak times), allowing you to begin enjoying the Club seven days a week while you continue your progression toward Full, Active Membership

Step 3 – Active Membership (Currently Not Available)
As Full, Active Membership spaces become available, individuals on the Active Waitlist are moved into Full, Active Membership in chronological order.

Active Members have access to the Club in accordance with their Membership category and continue to enjoy the full range of programs, facilities, and services.

Application Process
Applicants can expect the Membership application process to take approximately six to eight weeks, during which time the application is recieved, the applicant interview takes place, and the application is reviewed by the Membership Committee as outlined below:

1.  Application Submission: All information provided during the application process must be truthful, accurate,  and complete. 
2. Applicant Interview/Meeting with the Membership Team: An in-person or online interview/meeting with a member of the Membership Team is required as part of the application process. In most cases, this interview/meeting takes place during a personal tour of the Club’s facilities; however, it can also be arranged separately, either before or after the submission of your application. The purpose of this interview/meeting is to:  
   • learn more about you and, where applicable, your family or household
   •  Discuss how the Club’s programs, facilities, and services may support your interests and lifestyle 
   • Answer any questions you may have about CWC Membership, Club culture, waitlists, and the associated financial commitments 
   • Help confirm overall alignment with the values and community of the Calgary Winter Club 
3. Membership Committee Review
   Once your completed application and references have been recievied and your required meeting with the Membership Team has been held, your application is considered complete. It is then forwarded to the Membership Committee for consideration. The Membership Committee is represented by a Board-appointed Chair and other Calgary Winter Club Members in good standing who have been selected to review applications and make recommendations for membership. The Committee is entrusted with upholding the integrity and standards of the CWC community and aims to evaluate each application in a fair, consistent, and non-biased manner, with particular attention to alignment with the Club’s values and culture.  
    
   Following its review of your application, references, and supporting information, the Membership Committee will make a decision to approve, decline, or request additional details to further support your application. In some cases, the Committee may suggest reapplying at a later date once all requirements can be met. All decisions of the Membership Committee are considered final, and no further details regarding the Committee’s deliberations will be disclosed. 
    

Financial Commitments
Membership at the Calgary Winter Club represents both an upfront and ongoing financial commitment. The structure of this commitment depends on your stage in the pathway to Active Membership.

Inactive Waitlist – Financial Commitments
A entrance fee deposit of 25% of the current entrance fee is required with a CWC Membership Application:

• Current Family Membership Deposit: $13,750 + GST
• Current Single Membership Deposit: $8,750 + GST

While on the Inactive Waitlist:

• Applicants may request a refund of their Entrance Fee deposit at any time prior to moving to the Active Waitlist. In this case, the Entrance Fee deposit will be refunded less a $1,000 + GST administration fee

Active Waitlist – Financial Commitments
When an applicant moves from the Inactive Waitlist to the Active Waitlist:

• The Entrance Fee is locked in at the rate in effect on the date of that move, protecting the Member from any future Entrance Fee increases
• The applicant is billed and issued a $100 Calgary Winter Club share and becomes a Shareholder Member of the CWC
• The initial 25% deposit already paid is applied toward the total Entrance Fee.
  The remaining balance of the Entrance Fee becomes due and can be paid in a lump sum or through a CWC Entrance Fee Payment Plan (fees apply)
• The Entrance Fee becomes non-refundable and non-transferable once the applicant has moved to the Active Waitlist
• Membership dues commence in accordance with the applicable Membership category
  
  

Active Membership – Financial Commitments

Once a Member reaches Full, Active Membership:

• The full Entrance Fee will have been prepaid or added to a CWC Entrance Fee Payment Plan during the Active Waitlist stage
• Full, Active Members continue to pay ongoing Membership dues for each active family member on the Membership account, in accordance with their Membership category and current CWC dues schedules
  
  

Please note that all fees, dues, and policies are subject to change without notice and all fees and dues payments are subject to GST.

 CWC Family Membership Defined
A Family Membership may include:

• Up to two adults who are legal spouses residing at the same address, and
• Their biological, adopted, or stepchildren up to the age of 34
• Not eligible: Parents, grandparents, in-laws, siblings, and any other relatives who are not a legal spouse or child of the Shareholder Member or their spouse. 

If a legal spouse or adult child (ages 18–34) wishes to join at a later date, a separate application and approval process will be required.

A Single Membership is limited to one adult, and the addition of family members is not permitted. Single Memberships may be upgraded to a Family Membership by paying the difference in Entrance Fees at the time of the upgrade.

 

Referring Members

As part of the membership application and admissions process at the Calgary Winter Club, each applicant is requested to provide two references (from separate households) from current, active CWC members in good standing Referring Members play an essential role in ensuring that prospective members align with the Club’s values, culture, and community spirit.

To qualify as a Referring CWC Member, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Are not an immediate family member to the applicant
• Be an active Member in good standing for at least the past 12 months
• Be at least 30 years of age
• Have known the applicant for a minimum of two years
• Be able to provide a reliable account of the applicant’s character and suitability for CWC membership.

If you are unable to provide two references from existing CWC Members, you will be asked to submit a character reference from one of the following:

• A Professional Colleague or Supervisor 
• An Academic Reference 
• A Professional Association

 

The Calgary Winter Club is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive community where Member families can pursue lifelong wellness, build friendships, and enjoy a variety of enriching experiences. Our community is built with intention, fostering an atmosphere where members feel engaged and genuinely welcome. We invite you to tell us more about you and your family below, including how you imagine making the most of the Club’s programs and facilities. We’d also love to hear how you see your family contributing to the continued success and lasting legacy of our vibrant CWC community. (Required)