Frequently Asked Questions

General Details

What are the benefits of this project to Calgarians, our city and the region?

The new Scotia Place event centre will bring many benefits to Calgary. It will attract more concerts, events and experiences for Calgarians and visitors. The event centre will be the new home for our city’s NHL, AHL, WHL and NLL teams, as well as the room to host other sport events between the Scotia Place and the community rink facilities. The construction of the facility and surrounding work will provide 1,000s of construction-related jobs.

For visitors without a ticket to a show, the new restaurants and retail options will be open year-round, giving more people the chance enjoy and experience the emerging Culture + Entertainment District. Furthermore, hospitality and restaurant businesses will benefit from having more visitors in the area more often.

The Scotia Place project also increases opportunities for future developments in the surrounding area. This means more investment in hospitality, retail, dining and professional businesses, offering more resources and services.

What types of events and programs will take place at the new Scotia Place?

Scotia Place will host a variety of events, including professional and amateur sport teams, art shows and other types of performances. It will have the space and infrastructure required for major concerts and shows.

More than just an event centre, Scotia Place will also include indoor and outdoor public plazas. These spaces will provide community organizations with venues to host outdoor markets, shows, artists and more.

Why is it important that we prioritize Scotia Place among other city priorities?

Calgary is a growing global city attracting people both near and far who want to make a great life in Calgary. As our city grows and approaches 2 million people, there will be opportunities  and challenges – both of which need to be considered and acted upon.

Ensuring Calgary continues to be an affordable and attractive City for people to live in and want to visit requires thoughtful and intentional effort.

The City of Calgary is funding and making progress on housing affordability and public safety. The City is also making sure Calgary offers diverse amenities, resources and attractions for the people who live here and those visiting.

Scotia Place and the improvements in The Culture + Entertainment District will help Calgary to be a top destination for tourists and entertainment. The Scotia Place project will support Calgarians by creating local jobs and employment opportunities.

Design and Construction

What is the targeted completion date?

We aim to deliver this project as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest standards of quality. The current timeline is to hand over keys to the tenant (CSEC) in fall 2027, with Scotia Place opening to the public for the 2027/2028 NHL hockey season.

What is the construction schedule?

The design and planning phases are well underway, and we are pleased to share that the design concept for Scotia Place is beginning to take shape.   

The project team is diligently working to complete the design and construction schedule as soon as possible to ensure a timely delivery of Scotia Place. This schedule will highlight when major project milestones are due to occur such as the third and final development permit application for the building, public design reveal, and timing to begin excavation activities. 

Where can I find more information on construction impacts?

Construction is ongoing for several major city-building projects within The Culture + Entertainment District. For a full list of road and sidewalk impacts in the area, please visit CMLC’s C+E Access Map for real-time construction updates in the area. 

What is the development permit process?

Three development permits are required to advance construction of Scotia Place.

February 2024

The Scotia Place design team (DIALOG & HOK) submitted two of three development permit applications required to assist in construction of the Scotia Place:

Stripping and grading development permit
Shoring and excavation development permit

With approval of these permits, the Scotia Place team has started to strip, grade, and excavate for the event centre.

Summer 2024

A separate and third development permit application for the building (including building design components such as exterior façade and interior layouts) was submitted in July 2024.

We are committed to delivering this project as quickly as possible so Calgarians and visitors can begin using Scotia Place, the community ice rink, and public amenities. It is a multi-year construction project, and every effort is being made to shorten the timeframe and avoid project delays.

By sequencing the permit applications this way, we can schedule the work and trades required to begin the excavation process as soon as the design of Scotia Place is complete. This process creates efficiency and saves time and cost in the overall project schedule.

How will the budget be managed in this inflationary climate?

During the design process we are monitoring how the design and scope fit within the project budget.

Like many construction projects, we are facing challenges relating to escalating construction costs, inflation, labour demands and rising supply chain expenses.

The project team is actively tracking project costs and making financial decisions to ensure we deliver a project within budget that Calgarians can be proud of.

How is the new Scotia Place design different from the previous building design that was previously shared with the public?

The scope of this project is quite different than before. It now includes additional land, indoor and outdoor plazas, and a community rink.

Was there a public engagement process?

Public engagement for the Rivers District Master Plan occurred between February 2017 and July 2018. January to April 2020, specific public engagement for the new event centre was conducted as part of the work on the previous agreements. Three main themes emerged from this work:

Pride: Many see Scotia Place as an opportunity to revitalize east Victoria Park and the surrounding neighbourhoods, encourage growth and give Calgary a world-class facility they can be proud of.
Variety: People want the space to offer a variety of exciting opportunities that will attract locals and tourists year-round.
Connection: Scotia Place should provide chances for Calgarians to connect with one another, with friends and family, business associates and their community.

All parties involved recognize that public engagement occurred with respect to an event centre. This work is being considered and applied to the current project.

The project team also conducted Indigenous Engagement and outreach sessions with targeted interest-holders to further inform the final design approach.

What climate considerations or requirements will be incorporated in the building design?

Scotia Place will be designed and constructed to be LEED Silver certified, and to meet Calgary’s goal of net-zero by 2050.

The opening-day design includes larger electrical services, space for more electrical substations, and capacity to increase electrical distribution. The building can accommodate improved and modern technologies when they become available to convert from primarily gas-powered equipment and machinery to electric, overtime.

How were Indigenous communities engaged in the design and development of Scotia Place?

Treaty 7 Nations, Métis Nation, and the Urban Indigenous Community were consulted as part of the Scotia Place design process. The project team met with an Indigenous Advisory Committee over four day-long sessions to inform the design and find ways to capture the spirit of the location at the confluence and its connection to local Indigenous communities.

Did the procurement opportunities go to market?

Yes. The opportunities for the development manager, design consultant and construction manager opportunities all went through a competitive bidding process. CAA ICON was awarded the development manager contract after an RFP process in June 2023. DIALOG and HOK design consultants and CANA and Mortenson construction management’s 2020 signed contracts were reinstated in accordance with the terms.

Site Preparation and Enabling Works

When did enabling works begin?

Enabling works and site preparation for Scotia Place began in January 2024. This included reworking 5 Street S.E., moving utilities and cleaning up the site.

What happened to 5 Street S.E.?

To make the space for the full 10-acre event centre, 5 Street S.E. needed to be shifted to the east to become 5A Street S.E. In early 2024, underground service work began. In the months following, crews built new utilities and paved the new 5A Street S.E., opening the street in summer 2024.

What will happen to the Stephenson & Co Grocers Building?

The Stephenson & Co Grocers Building has been deconstructed and is being stored for the time being. It will be integrated into the Food Hall along 12th Ave. Although it has been removed from its original location it will be a prominent part of an urban retail street and the greater community.

Repurposing the Victoria Park Elm Tree

The project team plans to explore ways to use or memorialize the wood in the design of Scotia Place. They are carefully considering how to properly handle and use the wood.

If the wood is in good condition, the team will decide how to best re-purposed it back into the community. This process is expected to take several months and a final decision on how the elm wood can be re-purposed is likely to be made towards the end of the multi-year construction project.

What was done to commemorate the Victoria Park Elm Tree?

Though it has been removed, a commitment to honouring its legacy and importance continues. Preservation efforts will ensure the Victoria Park Elm will live on with future generations.

In 2021, The City worked with The University of Calgary to digitally capture the tree. The tree was scanned from twelve locations with a terrestrial laser scanner. It is now part of their Alberta Digital Heritage Archive.

Calgary Parks collected roughly 150 seeds directly from the tree itself, some of which have already been propagated in a city tree nursery. As of February 2024, the seedlings in the city tree nursery were between 6-18 inches tall.

Branches were also cut from the tree, and they are being cultivated into new and self-supporting trees of their own. If these branches propagate successfully, they will result in genetically identical trees to the Victoria Park Elm. The cuttings are in the early stages, but there is hope that they can be re-planted back into Calgary’s urban forest

Seedlings and cuttings take several years to grow. We are hopeful that between 100 – 200 trees will be re-planted into Calgary’s urban forest in the coming years between all the preservation efforts underway.

How do I share my ideas on how to repurpose the wood from the Victoria Park Elm Tree:

We are happy to welcome ideas and suggestions from the public. If you have an idea you’d like to share, please submit it to ScotiaPlace@calgary.ca.

District Improvements

What is happening with the 6 Street S.E. Underpass?

Construction on the 6 Street S.E. underpass is currently underway and is being delivered by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC). The project is funded through provincial commitments that support the development of district infrastructure in the area. For more information, visit  CMLCs project website.

Where can I find a full list of traffic and construction impacts in the area?

Construction is underway on several major projects within Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District. Visit CMLC’s C+E Access Map for real-time construction updates, road and sidewalk impacts in the area.

Agreements

Is the current Scotia Place a better deal than previous deal?

Yes. This deal is better for Calgarians, The City, and the region for several reasons:

New public and community amenities. The deal includes significant investments in new public amenities. These will improve to the quality of life for many Calgarians – including those who live, work and visit the area.
Financial predictability. In this deal, all revenue streams, like ticket surcharges and naming rights are combined into one guaranteed lease payment. Calgary Sport & Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) will pay The City of Calgary $17 million a year at a 1.0% interest rate per year for 35 years. Once the 35-year lease term is completed, CSEC will have paid $748.3 million for Scotia Place.
City revenue opportunities. The agreement provides future land development opportunities. If CSEC chooses to purchase additional land parcels, The City will receive the proceeds. Future developments, including retail, commercial, hospitality, etc. would generate new property taxes. These taxes would be reinvested into The Rivers District and The Culture + Entertainment District through the Community Revitalization Levy (CRL).
Economic growth. The ability to host world-class events will increase Calgary’s international profile. This will help The City’s growth, create new jobs, and furthers Calgary’s reputation as an entrepreneurial business hub and tourist destination.

What are the City revenue opportunities?

Property Taxes. The development sites in The Culture + Entertainment District, including the Scotia Place site, will start generating property taxes once construction is done and the building is open. All street-facing retail sites in Scotia Place will also generate property taxes for The City of Calgary. 

Adding Scotia Place to The Rivers District will also encourage more development in the area, which could increase the value of existing properties.  This would raise  The Rivers District Community Revitalization Levy (CRL), which will be used to fund future infrastructure investments in The District and provide a significant source of revenue for The City of Calgary before the CRL expires in 2048.  

Land Sales. As part of these transactions, The City of Calgary will receive up to four development sites from Calgary Stampede. If The City decides to develop portions of these lands in the future, they (The City) has granted CSEC the right of first offer on these sites, which currently includes the Victoria Park Bus Maintenance Facility (Bus Barn).

The City of Calgary will then receive the proceeds from these land sales, along with the upfront capital contribution and annual lease payments. These development opportunities support the plans to build out The Culture + Entertainment District and contribute to the additional investments and vibrancy of the surrounding community.

Who will own and operate Scotia Place?

The City of Calgary will own Scotia Place.

CSEC will lease, maintain, and operate Scotia Place. They are fully responsible for all maintenance and operations costs associated with the event centre for the 35-year term with the option to extend. They will manage all aspects of the building (from vendors, venue bookings, security of the building, etc.), but The City of Calgary will retain full ownership.

This partnership reflects the current partnership between The City of Calgary and CSEC for the Saddledome.

Why will some of the documents remain confidential?

Like any business deal, there are some documents that must remain confidential as they contain sensitive business information about The City of Calgary and our partners. However, we will continue to share as much information as possible as the project progresses. 

Why is the Government of Alberta involved in funding the Scotia Place project this time around?

The City of Calgary is excited to work with the Government of Alberta to support the surrounding infrastructure. This project is more than just an event centre. With this agreement, the Government of Alberta is contributing to the revitalization of Calgary’s downtown and the creation of a vibrant Culture + Entertainment District. This District includes the event centre, indoor and outdoor plazas and a public use community rink. The plan also includes major investments to the surrounding infrastructure to help the district and improve transportation options.

What funding will be allocated towards community sport?

The Calgary Flames Foundation will contribute $1.5 million per year for 35 years (for a total of $52.5 million) towards community sport funding. This commitment will offer the local community and southern Alberta region a variety of recreational and health and wellness programs. The first groups to receive these grants are WinSport, Calgary Parks Foundation, and KidSport Canada.

What are the future plans for the Scotiabank Saddledome?

When Scotia Place opens, The City of Calgary will demolish the Scotiabank Saddledome. The demolition efforts have been funded by the Government of Alberta. The lands will continue to be owned, maintained, and operated by the Calgary Stampede.

Are the Calgary Flames obligated to stay in Calgary?

Yes. The non-relocation agreement states CSEC has committed to having the Calgary Flames stay in Calgary until the end of the 35-year term. 

What are the details around the community rink?

The community rink will be available for the public and community organizations to use on weeknights and weekends, priced at a 15 per cent reduced rate from the market average on similar programming facilities.

Financing

What consultants are working on the project?

The City contracts external consultants on most projects funded by capital dollars, including Scotia Place. Scotia Place is unique and its development requires specific experience to ensure the project is successful and provides the most value for Calgarians.

When the discussions were underway, which led to the final Agreements, The City retained and was represented by CAA ICON.  These Deal Structure Advisors are experts in structuring successful deals and developing financing plans for event centres, stadiums and other public assembly facilities in a broad variety of markets around the world. 

Their role supported The City in realizing a new event centre that meets the needs and public interests of Calgary and its citizens. Their experience includes representing both municipalities and private corporations for event centres, which gives them insight to a number of successful projects.  

Cost: $956,000; August – October 2022.

How will The City of Calgary fund this project?

Scotia Place was identified as a priority for The City of Calgary in 2019 and budget was set aside for the previous version of the project. The remaining funds will come from the Major Capital Projects Reserve, the Fiscal Stability Reserve and the Budget Savings Account Merged Reserve. No increase in municipal taxes will be required to fund the project and The City of Calgary will not be taking on any additional debt.

What is the cost of The Scotia Place project?

This agreement will help The City develop a vibrant Culture + Entertainment District, and fund a number of improvements to the area, including:

Scotia Place
Indoor community plaza
Outdoor community event plazas
Attached parkade
Downtown’s only community rink, available for community sport and events
Accessibility improvements (roads, sidewalks, accessibility ramps)
Land acquired for future redevelopment site

The Scotia Place project is a shared investment between The City of Calgary, CSEC and the Government of Alberta:

The City of Calgary: $537.3 million
Calgary Sport and Entertainment Corporation: $356 million
- Lease payments: $748.3 million (a present value of $356 million)
  - $40 million investment upfront 
  - $17 million annual lease payment, escalating 1% per year for 35 years
- Community sport funding: $52.5 million
  - $1.5 million annual payments to community sport funding 
- Future land sales:
  - Four properties identified for future redevelopment
  - Future sale of Victoria Park Bus Maintenance Facility 
Government of Alberta: $330 million
- Funding for mobility improvements
- Contributions to the community rink and outdoor community plazas
Total project cost: $1.22 billion

What is financing structure with CSEC?

Under the Municipal Government Act, The City of Calgary may charge fees for the use of its property. The facility fee is a charge that is imposed by The City and levied on the price of tickets, venue bookings or other revenue for events in Scotia Place. CSEC’s revenue will contribute to the annual payment.

The first $17 million payment to The City of Calgary will include a $7 million rent payment and a $10 million facility fee.
Each year after, the payment will increase by 1 per cent from the previous years’ annual payment.

The lease payment structure ensures The City of Calgary will continue to benefit over time. 

What financial security does The City of Calgary have to ensure CSEC will fulfill their financial obligations?

The City has several protections from CSEC. The Calgary Flames have committed to staying in Calgary for the full 35-year lease term.  If CSEC fails to meet the Management and Lease Agreement for any reason The City of Calgary has the right to require CSEC to pay the remaining balance of the 35-year initial term.

How will cost overruns be dealt with?

In the event of cost overruns on Scotia Place, CSEC and The City of Calgary will split the cost 50:50.

Will Scotia Place cost The City of Calgary $1.2B?

No. The City of Calgary is investing $515.3 million towards Scotia Place, including the event centre, community rink, public gathering spaces and future development sites. This project is a shared investment that would not be possible without the significant financial contributions from the Government of Alberta and CSEC.

Scotia Place supporting local economy

How will Scotia Place increase foot traffic in the area?

Scotia Place will include improved indoor and outdoor spaces for the public to visit outside of events. This will lead to increased foot traffic in the area, which will support the shopping and many dining opportunities available.

Will Scotia Place help create new jobs?

Scotia Place will be a landmark attraction in Calgary’s emerging Culture + Entertainment District. The construction and operation of the new event centre will create jobs, both temporary and permanent, and will drive additional employment opportunities as the District develops.

A 2019 Ernest & Young Canada report on the economic impact assessment of the Rivers District Master Plan estimates that the construction of key infrastructure projects, including an event centre, can generate up to 4,750 full-time job equivalents during construction. .