BMO Centre expansion project handed over to Stampede; opening set for June
The $500 million expansion of Calgary's BMO Centre is in its final stages and the project is now in the hands of the Calgary Stampede to prepare the one million square feet of space for events in the summer.
The groundbreaking on the 565,000-square-foot expansion was held in April of 2021 and the first event in the new space, the Global Energy Show, is set for June.
"The expanded BMO Centre is second to none in its design architecture and functionality and sets a new precedent for convention facilities," said Kate Thompson, the president and CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation.
Funding for the space was split equally by all three levels of government. The interior work and preparation includes moving in more than 6,500 stacking chairs, 600 banquet tables and 7,600 pieces of cutlery.
Nearly three months from the opening date, officials say more than 100 bookings have already been placed for events as far out as 2030.
"The one that we're most excited about here in the near term is Rotary International, which will be here in 2025 – just before the 2025 Calgary Stampede," said Joel Cowley, Stampede CEO.
"It's expected to have between 25,000-30,000 delegates, which will probably take every hotel room between Okotoks and Airdrie."
The BMO Centre expansion, along with the LRT station redesign and the 17th Avenue S.E. extension, is the first of several major projects announced for the area in the last five years, with the new Calgary Event Centre and a new hotel all expected to break ground in the coming year.
"This area doesn't look at all like it did five years ago today, and five years from now we will also have the events centre," said Thompson.
A bigger convention centre is expected to generate about $267 million in annual economic impact, Cowley said.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek said the transformation of Victoria Parks is already bringing investment interest from outside of the city.
"While we can't talk about things that are in play right now, I can tell you that there's people globally that are paying attention to what's happening here in our city," she said.
More than 600 workers were on site daily during major construction and crews logged a combined two million hours of work.
The public opening of the expanded centre is scheduled to take place on June 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.