BMO Centre Expansion
Priority Capital Projects BMO Centre Expansion
The expanded BMO Centre opened on time and on budget on June 5, 2024. It has substantially increased Calgary’s ability to host conventions and conferences.
This completed project shows The City’s commitment to our community and Calgary’s future.
The project
Since 1982, the BMO Centre has been Calgary’s top venue for shows, events, and conferences. The venue has undergone two major expansions since its opening, in 2000 and again in 2009. Prior to the expansion, it consisted of 285,000 square feet of rentable exhibition halls, meeting rooms and a ballroom.
With the 565,000 square foot expansion now complete, the BMO Centre stands as Western Canada’s largest convention centre. It boasts over one million square feet of total space. The three-level building features:
- more than 100,000 square feet of new exhibition space,
- 38 state-of-the-art meeting rooms,
- two expansive ballrooms totalling 70,000 square feet, and
- a 100,000 square foot outdoor plaza as a year-round gathering space.
It also has flexible and functional gathering spaces. The modernized Tier 1 convention facility is top-notch in design and usability. It can host up to 33,000 guests, making Calgary a premier destination for large events.
Located on Stampede Park, the expanded BMO Centre is key component of Rivers District Master Plan. It invests in Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District, attracting private investment and new local businesses.
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), a wholly owned affiliate of The City and steward of the Rivers District Master Plan, served as Development Manager for the BMO Centre expansion. They managed the project on behalf of The City of Calgary and the Calgary Stampede.
Map and image renderings
Complete list of project milestones
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
|
March 4, 2019 |
Council approved the financial strategy for all four unfunded long-term projects (BMO Centre expansion, Event Centre, Expansion of Arts Commons, and Foothills Field House) |
|
March 12, 2019 |
Funding announced by the Government of Canada. |
|
Spring 2019 |
Enabling works on the expansion began. |
|
May 23, 2019 |
CMLC announced the project team. |
|
June 10, 2020 |
Calgary Stampede and Development partner, CMLC released architectural designs. |
|
April 29, 2021 |
Project ground breaking. |
|
November 3, 2022 |
Structural steel completion. |
|
March 13, 2024 |
Substantial completion. |
|
May 22, 2024 |
Completion of the public art installation, Spirit of Water |
|
June 5, 2024 |
Project timeline
Investment details
The $500 million expansion is equally funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, and The City.
Benefits to Calgarians
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Job creation
Ernst & Young prepared an Economic Impact Assessment on the full build out of The Culture + Entertainment District. The January 2019 report states that 4,750 full-time jobs could be created during construction. An additional 1,536 permanent jobs will be created once the new facilities open.
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Invest in Calgarians
The BMO Centre drives development in The Culture + Entertainment District. It attracts private investment and new businesses. It is a key component of the Rivers District Master Plan and supports the Downtown Strategy.
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Economic growth
The BMO Centre enables Calgary to compete for national and international meetings and conventions. The economic impact on Calgary will be around $100 million a year, creating thousands of jobs. This translates to filling restaurants, shops, ride-shares and other attractions that make Calgary unique.
Download the Ernst & Young Economic Impact Assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the BMO Centre Expansion located?
The expanded portion of the BMO Centre is connected to the existing facility located on Stampede Park in The Culture + Entertainment District. The expansion replaced the aging portions of the existing facility through the demolition of Hall A and the Stampede Corral.
How much will this project cost?
The BMO Centre expansion was an investment of $500 million and was delivered on budget.
How is this project funded?
The expanded BMO Centre is funded through equal contributions by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta and The City of Calgary via the Community Revitalization Levy (CRL).
What is a Community Revitalization Levy (CRL)?
The Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) is a funding initiative that allows The City of Calgary to redirect a portion of tax revenue that result from redevelopment in a designated revitalization area and direct the revenues towards approved municipal expenditures in the specified area. The Community Revitalization Levy (CRL) is managed by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of The City of Calgary.
What service and amenities will it provide?
The expanded BMO Centre increases total floor space to over one million square feet, doubling its rentable space. As the largest facility in Western Canada, the expansion adds more than 100,000 sq. ft. of new exhibition space, 38 new meeting rooms, two new ballrooms totaling 70,000 sq. ft., and a dramatic central gathering space called the Exchange.
Outside, the expansion includes a 100,000 sq. ft. outdoor plaza—a versatile, year-round public gathering space that allows attendees to enjoy the outdoors between sessions. This plaza serves both Calgarians and visitors to Stampede Park throughout the year, including during the Stampede's 10-day event.
What is the economic and social impact of this project?
The expanded BMO Centre is expected to have a substantial annual economic impact by attracting and hosting larger conferences and conventions, thereby enhancing trade and tourism and creating jobs for Alberta.
The economic benefit to Calgary alone is projected to be around $100 million annually, providing thousands of jobs and boosting local businesses such as restaurants, shops, rideshares, and other attractions.
In addition, the BMO Centre expansion is a major catalyst project in the development of Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District in east Victoria Park, serving as an anchor to attract private investment and new local businesses.
What is The City's role on the BMO Centre expansion project?
The City of Calgary, along with the provincial and federal governments are equal-share funders of the BMO Centre expansion project.
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) served as development manager for the expansion on behalf of the project partners, The City of Calgary and Calgary Stampede. The City worked closely with the Calgary Stampede and CMLC to assist in the successful execution of the project. A joint steering committee represented by each partner ensured the interest of the City were met including, ensuring the project aligned with all applicable Calgary City Council policies, including but not limited to The City of Calgary Design Guidelines for City-funded Buildings, the Sustainable Building Policy, and the Access Design Standards.
In addition, The City reviewed design drawings at specified intervals on an iterative basis and had a regulatory role through the Development Permit process.
How does this project help support Calgary's long-term economic recovery?
With the grand opening of its 565,000 sq. ft. expansion, the BMO Centre has become Western Canada’s largest convention centre. This development will attract national and international events, supporting Calgary’s tourism and hospitality industry. It aligns with the Downtown Strategy, represents an investment in Calgary’s future and economic resilience and is a key pillar in the creation of The Culture + Entertainment District in east Victoria Park.
Project partners
