Major milestone hit on downtown Calgary Olympic Plaza Transformation
A major milestone has been hit on the Olympic Plaza Transformation project in downtown Calgary, with construction now underway.
The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), Werklund Centre, and the City of Calgary marked the start of construction with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Wednesday.
The revitalized space will feature a new pavilion with food and beverage options, washrooms, green space, as well as space for markets, programs, major events of up to 5,000 people and, of course, room for the iconic skating rink.
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation
“Thriving cities have vibrant downtown cores that are not just places of business, but places where people come to explore, experience city life and partake in arts and culture activities,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas in a release.
“Olympic Plaza is the heart of our downtown, and combined with the Werklund Centre Transformation and the many other investments the City of Calgary is making into the area, will help drive the revitalization of Calgary’s downtown.”
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation
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The project is being funded by the Government of Alberta, the City of Calgary, and Dave Werklund & Family.
The original Olympic Plaza was constructed for the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, and its legacy will be carried forward in the redesign with a 12-metre-tall central feature with the official emblem of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games that will stand as a focal point of the plaza.
The Olympic Plaza Transformation is happening alongside the Werklund Centre Transformation, which will see a 170,000 sq. ft. expansion that will add two new theatres to the downtown performing arts complex.
With construction now underway, the Olympic Plaza is anticipated to open in 2028. You can learn more about the project online.