Event Centre
Priority Capital Projects Event Centre
The Event Centre will be a year-round, gathering place for Calgarians. It will be home to the Calgary Flames, Hitmen and Roughnecks and all who cheer them on. The venue will attract major sport events as well as some of the world’s leading performing artists, creating a hub for connecting community, entertainment and sport.
The new Event Centre, a priority capital project, will showcase The City‘s commitment to invest in our community and Calgary’s future. It's a vital project for bolstering our local economic development and inspiring a vibrant downtown.
Project update - January 13, 2022
On Dec. 31, 2021, the Agreements ended between the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation and The City of Calgary to build a new event centre.
Moving forward, the long-term goals of The City of Calgary (including the Downtown Strategy and the Rivers District Master Plan) are relevant now more than ever, as we attract new investment and people to our growing and successful city.
We appreciate the conditions of the global pandemic and the economy may have contributed to carrying out the Event Centre agreements as unfeasible. That doesn’t change our vision to develop a culture and entertainment district, which includes an event centre.
On Jan. 12, 2021, as an update on the Event Centre’s Timeline, City Council provided direction to continue moving forward:
- Work with a third-party to first establish whether Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation is interested in re-entering discussions on a partnership to construct an event centre and what conditions might be required to do so.
- Determine whether there are other parties interested in partnering with The City to construct an event centre.
- Re-establish the Event Centre Assessment Committee, bringing terms of reference based on the previously established
We are scheduled to report back to Council with the result of these efforts on March 8, 2022 at the Combined Meeting of Council.
Photo gallery
The Project
The Event Centre will solidify Calgary’s place as a major destination for visitors from around the world. The Event Centre will be a year-round destination for all Calgarians as a cornerstone of Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment district.
While the Saddledome has been loved by many since the 1988 Olympics, aging infrastructure, old technology, and accessibility issues have made it more difficult to attract large events. The Event Centre will be able to accommodate tours by world-leading performing artists, events and festivals.
The Event Centre will promote and attract private investment, jobs and economic growth. The Event Centre will be located at 12 Avenue and 4 Street S.E. as the gateway into Stampede Park and the new front door of the Culture + Entertainment District.
An affiliate of Calgary Sport and Entertainment Corporation, will transition to the role of development manager for the Event Centre project. The City maintains a level of oversight to ensure adherence to project principles and framework throughout the project, and that public interests are maintained.
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) remains the stewards for the delivery of the Rivers District Master Plan for Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District and projects already underway including the BMO Centre Expansion, 17th Ave Extension and Stampede Station rebuild and Stampede Trail festival street.
Benefits to Calgarians
Download the Ernst & Young Economic Impact Assessment.
The Event Centre is one of several infrastructure projects to which The City has made a significant city-building and financial commitment. The work these teams have been entrusted to do will contribute significantly to the Culture & Entertainment District and have a lasting impact on our city.
- STUART DALGLEISH
General Manager, Planning and Development,
City of Calgary and Event Centre Steering Committee memberl
Investment
In December 2019, The City and Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (and affiliates) entered into a series of agreements. In July 28, 2021 Council approved various amendments to these agreements which brought the total project cost estimate to $608.5 million.
Other projects that will benefit the area include the BMO Centre expansion and the 17th Avenue extension and Victoria Park/Stampede Station redesign.
Project background
The Event Centre will be located in east Victoria Park – one of Calgary's oldest residential communities. Established as the East Ward in 1880, the Agricultural Society of Calgary named the community "Victoria Park" in 1889 after Queen Victoria.
In 1997, a group of local business owners formed the Victoria Park Business Improvement Area in an effort to encourage development and revitalize the community. This helped steer the neighbourhood towards a new period of growth and development. Today, Victoria Park is one of the city's most vibrant and thriving urban neighbourhoods.
The Event Centre will replace the Saddledome that was constructed for the 1988 Olympics. It will reinvigorate interest in the Culture + Entertainment District and the surrounding area which could provide a significant opportunity for private sector investment in the area and the development of under-used lands.
Timeline
Project partners
