Calgary’s new platform innovation centre promises more than just parking spaces
The new parkade in the heart of East Village is a multifunctional space for investors and start-up projects to come together and create ideas that will shape the future.
Opening in the fall of 2021, the Platform Innovation Centre will be a hub that is dedicated to supporting start-up projects and entrepreneurs at every stage of their career.
This project is more interesting than what meets the eye. From the outside, the Innovation Centre looks like a regular parkade with modern siding. Once people are able to step inside, they will discover just how unique this structure is.
This parkade is a first of its kind, meaning it is not meant to be a parkade forever. The idea here is that as the city becomes more pedestrian friendly through improved transit, the parkade can be transformed into a different space depending on what the city needs next.
This parkade could become affordable housing, office space, or a recreation centre if that’s what is needed in that area. This is possible thanks to the construction method that planned for the parkade to be repurposed later.
The parking area of the building, which is operated by the Calgary Parking Authority, is already open, but the real treat comes later this year, officials say.
When the Platform Innovation Centre opens in the fall, it will have a pitch stage and event-based community space on the main floor for tech startups to showcase their companies.
(Supplied/Youtube)
The Innovation Centre provides a centralized location for access to resources, programming, and events to help start-ups successfully grow and build on their ideas.
The city hopes the Innovation Centre will help to connect local innovators together that can then stimulate economic growth and job creation in the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Is there a cost to convenience? Canada approves new cancer immunotherapy treatment
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Archeologists search for remnants of Halifax's 250-year-old wall that surrounded the city
Archeologist Jonathan Fowler is using ground-penetrating radar to search for historic evidence of the massive wall that surrounded Halifax more than 250 years ago.
Canada's new dental program offering hope of free care to millions but many dentists aren't signed up
A new Canadian dental care program is offering the hope of free care to millions, but while 1.7 million people have signed up for the plan, only about 5,000 dentists have done the same.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
'Deeply unhappy' grocery shoppers plan to boycott Loblaw-owned stores in May
A boycott targeting Loblaw is gaining momentum online, with what could be thousands of shoppers taking their money elsewhere in May.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Anne Hathaway reveals she's now five years sober
Anne Hathaway first shared she lost interest in drinking after a bad hangover in 2018. She’s now five years sober.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.