July 2026 newsletter

From foundations to skyline

Over the past year, construction at Scotia Place has accelerated across every major area of the project, while work on surrounding infrastructure has continued to help shape The Culture + Entertainment District (C+E District).

The area has transformed into a major construction site, with visible progress now rising above grade and becoming part of Calgary's skyline. As construction continues, new event spaces, public amenities and key district connections are coming together to support a year-round destination for Calgarians and visitors.

Take a look at some of the key milestones from the past 12 months:

Summer 2025

July

More than 1,000 cubic metres of concrete were poured for the first portion of the club level—enough to fill nearly half an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

August & September

The main concourse began to take shape, building out the spaces that will welcome future visitors and fans.

Concrete was poured for the indoor public plaza, helping bring this future community gathering space to life.

Fall 2025

October

Steel installation began as the structure rose above grade, marking a major milestone.

November

The steel structure expanded rapidly, becoming increasingly visible across the site.

December

Structural steel installation continued for the underground loading dock, which will include six loading bays and three internal broadcast truck bays.

Winter 2026

January

Precast concrete installation began, offering the first glimpse of the future seating bowl.

Construction started on the 6 Street S.E. Underpass, with utility and street upgrades to advance future connections within The C+E District.

February

Upper seating areas continued to take shape as work progressed on the stadia structure.

Work began on temporary rail tracks for the 6 Street S.E. Underpass, supporting future bridge construction beneath the CPKC rail line.

Spring 2026

March

The first roof truss was installed, marking a major step toward enclosing the structure. Once complete, the roof will support up to 181 metric tonnes (400,000 lbs) of lighting, sound and event equipment, that's more than four times the Saddledome's rigging capacity of approximately 40.8 metric tonnes (90,000 lbs).

April

Exterior construction became more visible with the installation of building envelope and the first "cauldron" panels.

May

Key infrastructure work continued across The C+E District, including progress on raising 14 Avenue S.E. by 2 metres (6.5 feet) to support street-level access.

Behind the scenes, the first structures for the 6 Street S.E. Underpass were installed to support the future crossing.

June

Steel was installed for the main entrance to the ESSO Community Arena, and the steel structure was fully connected around Scotia Place’s main bowl.

The vision of Scotia Place is becoming a reality right before our eyes. Get a glimpse of construction progress to date compared to the final designs in the video below.

From foundations and concrete pours to roof trusses and exterior finishes, significant progress has been made across Scotia Place and The C+E District. Together, these milestones are helping create year-round spaces and amenities along with improved connections for Calgarians and visitors.

To learn more about the project, explore its future amenities and public spaces, or follow construction progress, visit calgary.ca/ScotiaPlace.

Temporary road closure: 6 Street S.E. between 11 Avenue S.E. and 12 Avenue S.E.

A temporary road closure will be in effect from July 20 to mid-September 2026 as construction continues on the 6 Street S.E. Underpass, a key connection to The Culture + Entertainment District.

Access changes include:

6 Street S.E. is closed between 11 Avenue S.E. and 12 Avenue S.E.
11 Avenue S.E. and 12 Avenue S.E. are reduced to one lane in each direction through the 6 Street S.E. intersection.
Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians are encouraged to use 5 Street S.E. as an alternate north-south route through the area and follow posted detours and signage.

To stay updated on access changes, visit the C+E Access Map, or to learn more about the project visit calgary.ca/6StUP.

Plan your visit to The Culture + Entertainment District

Excitement is building in The C+E District! With construction progressing on Scotia Place, and other district improvements taking place in the area, Calgarians can expect intermittent lane restrictions and road closures in the area through 2026.

Visit The C+E Access Map for real-time construction and access updates, and to plan your visit to Calgary's next great city neighbourhood.

Categories: Construction, Newsletter, Project updates

Stay connected

Subscribe to our newsletter