A public consultation process has been launched for Calgary’s new Event Centre which will eventually replace the Saddledome as the home of the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames.
The process will be led by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation which is spearheading the development of the new arena. The CMLC announced Wednesday it will collect input from Calgarians on their aspirations for the visitor experience and programming the facility will support to help inform the development of the building and its surrounding public spaces. The multiphase engagement program began this week and includes an online survey, public outreach in every city ward and a series of roundtable discussions with community stakeholders. The survey is available at ( www.calgarymlc.ca/ECengage ) and will be open to the public from January 29 – March 27.
“We are thrilled to be building — on behalf of The City of Calgary and CSEC (Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation) — this extraordinary civic amenity that residents and visitors will enjoy for generations,” said Kate Thompson, President and CEO of the CMLC.
“Beyond bringing the city a world-class venue for events of all types and sizes, this project will also add wonderful and inviting public gathering spaces to our community that will be available to everybody, 365 days a year. This catalyzing project will have a significant, positive impact on the whole district, energizing and revitalizing a truly special part of Calgary.”
CMLC also announced it will be managing the procurement process to identify and select the Event Centre’s project team, including prime design consultant, construction manager and a host of other specialists who will work together to bring the project to life.
“CMLC takes great pride in our role overseeing the Event Centre’s construction and ensuring its coordination with other ongoing redevelopment in east Calgary, and we look forward to working with Calgarians, the project team and all other stakeholders to ensure the new facility integrates seamlessly with the community and the Rivers District Master Plan,” said Thompson.
Thompson said the CMLC and the Calgary Stampede will reveal the design for the BMO Convention Centre expansion this summer and also taking place this summer will be the construction of the 17th Avenue extension and Stampede Crossing to improve the entrance and flow into Stampede Park from the west side. It will be completed in 2023 across the C-Train tracks, connecting to Stampede Trail and adding a new pedestrian and vehicle corridor into the district.
CMLC said the new road extension will not only link several major venues in the area in a practical way (including the expanded BMO Centre and the new Event Centre) it will also serve as a canvas to invite new retail and commercial development to the neighbourhood.
In conjunction with the road work, CMLC will oversee the overhaul of the Victoria Park/Stampede C-Train station, improving pedestrian access in the area. Detailed design work for this two-part project is complete, and construction preparation will begin in the summer, said the organization.
CMLC also announced Wednesday that East Village’s first urban shopping centre will open this spring with the retail component of a residential-commercial venture by BOSA and RioCan. The 5th & THIRD urban-format retail centre will be anchored by Real Canadian Superstore—the district’s first major grocery store—and will also include Scotiabank, Olympia Liquor, TD Canada Trust and Winners. Above the retail, the first of two residential towers is under construction that will bring 190 new residential rental units in Spring 2021.
Mario Toneguzzi is a business reporter in Calgary.
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