City of Calgary asking public's input on new $550-million arena

Calgary’s going to get a brand new arena.

Following years of negotiations, city council meetings, and stalemates between the city and the Flames, the new event centre deal was finally signed and sealed as of December 5, 2019.

Now comes another few years of planning, design, and construction, and the City of Calgary is asking the public’s input as they take their first steps towards building the $550 million arena.

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The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) has put out a call to the public to “help shape the visitor experience at the new event centre,” which will be located in Calgary’s up-and-coming Rivers District.

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

The CMLC website is asking what Calgarians envision for the project, and more specifically how “the project team can create a one-of-a-kind visitor experience, unique to our city and a source of pride for all Calgarians.”

Those who wish to officially have their say about the new event centre have a few options for doing so, either by taking an online survey that is available at their website or by speaking to representatives in person.

These in-person input opportunities will take place throughout February at sporting events, concerts, and ward-specific engagement sessions.

February 4: Flames vs Sharks at the Saddledome 5 to 8 pm
February 4: Ward 7 engagement session at Calgary Central Library 4 to 8 pm
February 7: Hitmen vs Prince Albert at the Saddledome 5 to 8 pm
February 8: Ward 8 engagement session at cSpace 10 am to 1 pm
February 8: Roughnecks vs NY at the Saddledome 5:30 to 8:30 pm
February 9: Ward 3 engagement session at Vivo for Healthier Generations 11 am to 1 pm
February 9: Ward 4 engagement session at Shane Holmes YMCA at Rocky Ridge 2 to 5 pm
February 11: Ward 7 engagement session at SAIT 10 am to 2 pm
February 12: Ward 5 engagement session at Saddletowne YMCA Genesis Centre 4 to 7 pm
February 14: Old Dominion Concert at the Saddledome 6 to 9 pm
February 15: Ward 11 engagement session at Lougheed House 11 am to 5 pm
February 17: Flames vs Ducks at the Saddledome 12:30 to 3:30 pm
February 19: Ward 8 engagement session at Bankers Hall 11 am to 2 pm
February 22: Ward 6 engagement session at Markin MacPhail Centre 9 am to noon
February 22: Ward 1 engagement session at Bowness Park Skating Area 1 to 3 pm
February 23: Ward 9 engagement session at East Calgary Twin Arenas 9 am to noon
February 23: Ward 10 engagement session at Village Square Leisure Centre 1 to 4 pm
February 29: Ward 12 engagement session at Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton 9 am to noon
February 29: Ward 13 engagement session at Cardel Recreation Centre 1 to 4 pm
March 1: Event Centre Public Engagement Session at Thornhill Rec Centre 9 am to noon
March 1: Ward 14 engagement session at Trico Centre for Family Wellness 1 to 3 pm

Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

Those who do participate will be entered to win a pair of Calgary Flames home game tickets, a $200 gift card to Cardinale Restaurant, and a signed jersey.

The new event centre project is expected to complete its design stage by December 2020, start construction by Summer 2021, and be finished by May 2024.