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A new sports and entertainment complex could soon lead the revitalization of Calgary's West End. Proposed by the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), the $890 million project under working title CalgaryNEXT encompasses an event centre and arena as well as a multi-sport field house and stadium to be funded through a public-private partnership. The complex seeks to revitalize Calgary's aging sports and entertainment infrastructure, characterized mainly by the Scotiabank Saddledome and McMahon Stadium, while at the same time fuelling the redevelopment of polluted land in the West End.
Although the proposal has been linked to the possibility of a bid from the city of Calgary for the 2026 Summer Olympics, investors express that the project is intended to be built independently of this scenario. Once built, the facilities would become municipal infrastructure managed by CSEC and occupied by the Calgary Flames (NHL), the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), the Calgary Roughnecks (NLL), and the Calgary Stampeders (CFL). The field house component of the complex would provide Calgarians with accessible sports and fitness facilities, including practice ice for amateur hockey, running tracks, and professional strength and conditioning facilities.
According to the CSEC, the need for a new event centre and arena stems from the inadequacy and obsolescence of the Scotiabank Saddledome, which presents major drawbacks for event logistics mainly due to the unique shape and design of its roof. By replacing the Saddledome with a new arena, with capacity for between 18,000 and 21,000 attendees, Calgary would be able to attract a higher number of international acts and events to take place within the city, while simultaneously providing a new state-of-the-art facility for professional ice hockey.
While the design and proposal rationale have been welcomed by the public, the hefty price tag has proven to be a point of contempt. Cost estimates have been placed at $890 million by CSEC, a figure that some analysts and policymakers have expressed will undoubtedly increase given the nature of these developments. In addition, the funding model presented by the developers requires over $440 million in public funds, $240 million of which would be part of a Community Revitalization Levy, while $200 million would come from the City of Calgary through the allocation of funds for the construction of a new field house, as previously estimated by the City.
Further concerns regarding this project emanate from the significant creosote pollution present on the site, a relic of its previous history as the headquarters of the Canada Creosote Company during most of the twentieth century. While land remediation costs are not included in the $890 million figure, investors argue that the City will eventually have to allocate these funds in order to remediate valuable underused land in the West End, and thus this municipal expenditure should not be considered as part of their proposal. Nevertheless, the lengthy times associated with remediating land pollution, in addition to the added expense, have proven to be deterrents in the evolution of this proposal.
Given the numerous concerns regarding this project, the City of Calgary has recently evaluated a potential "Plan-B," which would see the construction of a new stadium on Stampede Park and significant upgrades to McMahon Stadium. A report analyzing both proposals is due this fall.
SkyriseCities will track the evolution of this proposal as it moves through the planning process. We will update the Database when information about Plan B becomes available, and you can join the conversation in the Forum today. Feel free to leave your comments in the section below.
