A first look inside the new BMO Centre expansion and when you can visit

The BMO Centre expansion project has wrapped up and is almost ready to welcome guests, and the first photos of the inside are truly gorgeous.

The project, which was announced back in 2019 and took four years to complete, is Western Canada’s largest convention centre and now sprawls across more than one million square feet.

The expansion has been immense, featuring over 100,000 square feet of additional exhibition space, 38 fresh meeting rooms, two ballrooms totalling 70,000 square feet, and a majestic 70-foot-tall indoor fireplace at the heart of the distinctive central gathering area known as the Exchange.

CMLC

CMLC

The western theme permeates the new building with the uniquely named rooms, art and design touches.

The awe-inspiring Champions Ballroom looks out over the Stampede grounds, 17th Avenue, and even a glimpse of the Rocky Mountains. The design of the room was inspired by the light filtering though the cracks of an old ranch barn’s wood.

CMLC

Emma Kilburn-Smith/Daily Hive

Emma Kilburn-Smith/Daily Hive

The view from the 11,000-square-foot private balcony extending out from the updated Brand Room is equally stunning.

Small details enhance the Western feel, like the massive door leading to the room named after the”Big Four” founders made of black leather from Alberta Boot.

When Stampede is in full swing during the summer, it offers a clear view of the marching band below. It is also a great place to host outdoor events in the winter with year-round natural gas heating.

CMLC

Emma Kilburn-Smith/Daily Hive

Emma Kilburn-Smith/Daily Hive

There’s even more to see when you are outside the building, with a 100,000-square-foot outdoor public plaza featuring a 170-foot curved canopy, a 70-foot tall Spirt of Water public art sculpture, more than 50 species of plants, and a 20,000-square-foot great lawn and dedicated performance space on the grand staircase.

Emma Kilburn-Smith/Daily Hive

Emma Kilburn-Smith/Daily Hive

CMLC

CMLC

The expansion is wasting no time being put to use, with the site’s first major event, the Global Energy Show, already loading into the expansion’s exhibition halls in preparation for their June 11 event, and there are another 500 conventions and events booked.

You might also like:
• This new Calgary store is popping up where The Livery Shop was
• Calgary losing affordable housing reputation as home price increases skyrocket
• Here are the Calgary Stampede concerts that have been announced so far

CMLC

CMLC

“For four years, we have been promising that the expanded BMO Centre will offer Calgarians, southern Albertans and visitors to our city a greater way to gather. Today, it is with immeasurable pride that we open the doors to the BMO Centre at Stampede Park,” said Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede in a news release.

“The BMO Centre expansion was built for Calgary and southern Alberta, with the vision of creating a world-class facility both in terms of design and the ability to provide exceptional guest experiences through our signature western hospitality.”

CMLC

You can check out the massive expanded BMO Centre for the first time on Saturday, June 8, during the Calgary Stampede’s ENMAX Community Round-Up, from 9 am to 1 pm.

What do you think of the inside of the BMO Centre expansion? Let us know in the comments below.