Province supporting BMO Centre expansion
Posted Dec 18, 2018 1:07 pm.
Last Updated Dec 18, 2018 2:36 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Premier Rachel Notley has announced Alberta’s support for a major expansion of the BMO Centre.
“East Victoria Park, which includes Stampede Park and BMO Centre, has long stood as the city’s cultural epicentre. With this announcement, we are going to kick-start urban renewal in Calgary’s downtown, create thousands of jobs, and increase tourism, business development and investment in Calgary,” Notley said Tuesday afternoon.
City council has already approved its portion of the $550 million expansion of the BMO, with the mayor saying the doubling of the facility will move Calgary into the top tier of convention cities, similar to venues in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
READ MORE: Calgary BMO Centre to get a $500M expansion
“This Community Revitalization Levy has been one of the most successful in the world, and the new vibrancy of the East Village is testament to that. Extending it for a further 20 years after 2026 will allow us to craft even better neighbourhoods, particularly south of the tracks in East Victoria Park where we are crafting a great cultural and entertainment district for Calgary,” Naheed Nenshi explained.
In addition to the expansion of the BMO Centre on Stampede Park, the Calgary Rivers District CRL extension will allow for $140 million in infrastructure upgrades in Victoria Park, and future transformation of Arts Commons, which includes the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Max Bell Theatre, Martha Cohen Theatre, Big Secret Theatre and the Engineered Air Theatre.
The province says the investment in the BMO Centre will create 2,250 jobs and contribute $223 million annually to Alberta’s economy.
It’s hoped shovels can be in the ground by early next year.
