Stampede Park will be shaped by a 20-year master plan. Photo by Stephen Strand
A new 20-year vision that will shape the future of Stampede Park has been brought forward.
Over the past 20 years, Stampede Park has changed and evolved, with the completion of several projects, including the Nutrien Western Events Centre, the Stampede Youth Campus, the BMO expansion, and more.
Now, they have put out a new 20-year master plan, which will guide how Stampede Park will look in the future.
Stuart O’Connor, the President & Chair of the Board of the Calgary Stampede, says this new master plan will guide Stampede Park to become a world class, year-round, gathering place.
As part of this new master plan, there are seven distinct zones on Stampede Park that will shape new, dynamic experiences, facilities, and open spaces that will create a year-round district that celebrates the western hospitality of the Stampede, as well as the continued evolution of Calgary.
The seven districts include Agriculture and Animals, Discovery & Heritage, Live Events Zone, Multipurpose Venue, Stampede Gateway, Outdoor Flex Space, and Stadium & Track.
The Agriculture and Animals zone will have a new purpose-built agriculture facility, which will support the Stampede’s vision of becoming the world’s premier gathering place for agriculture.
Joel Cowley, the CEO with the Calgary Stampede, adds that there is an exciting opportunity with this new space.
As part of the Discovery & Heritage zone, it will strengthen the First Nations perspective and connections with the Elbow River, Stampede Campus, and Community Park East. This zone will expand the opportunity and connectivity for year-round programming and storytelling.
The Live Events Zone will be adjacent to Scotia Place, and will be an anchor feature that blends dynamic development potential for commercial uses and unique food and beverage offerings, along with an outdoor, vibrant gathering space that is designed to facilitate year-round programming and celebration.
According to Cowley, this Live Events Zone is modeled after what other cities have done.
As part of the Stampede Gateway zone, it will be a new mixed-use development site that will blend functional visitors’ needs, such as rideshare access and parking with commercial development.
The Outdoor Flex Space will create a more efficient, better-connected flex and open spaces, which will support the 10-day festival’s varied needs.
As part of the Flex Space, a new, modern multipurpose venue will replace The Big Four Building, and will enable programming flexibility to service the growing music and event needs on Stampede Park.
As part of the Stadium & Track, there will be an expansion or renovation to the original grandstand and track facilities that will enable expanded programming.
According to Cowley, this work on the track and grandstand could also open up the door for field sports being played at Stampede Park, such as professional football.
Cowley adds that this an exciting and ambitious vision for Stampede Park.
Cowley adds that this master plan takes into account the need to expand the BMO Centre further in the future.
As part of being a non-profit, the Calgary Stampede exists for the benefit of the community, and they create their programming and develop the land to the benefit of the community.
$2 billion in projects have already been completed or are underway at Stampede Park.
This 20-year plan will cost money, and Cowley says that while they don’t have a set dollar amount at the moment, this plan will take multiple partners to come together.
The Saddledome is expected to be demolished once the new arena opens, and the land will be given to the Stampede no more than 3-years after the new arena opening.
They did this as a 20-year plan, because they feel it is a realistic timeline for this size of project.
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