We are committed to delivering this project as quickly as possible while confirming the highest standards of quality. The current timeline is to hand over keys to the tenant (CSEC) summer 2027, and will be open to the public for the 2027/2028 NHL hockey season. 

The design and planning phases are well underway, and we are pleased to share that the design concept for Scotia Place is beginning to take shape.   

The project team is diligently working to complete the design and construction schedule as soon as possible to ensure a timely delivery of Scotia Place. This schedule will highlight when major project milestones are due to occur such as the third and final development permit application for the building, public design reveal, and timing to begin excavation activities.  

We recognize people are eager to see the new Scotia Place design, and while the schedule is still being finalized and subject to change, we expect to share the design and break ground in 2024.  

Construction is underway on several major city-building projects within Calgary’s evolving Culture + Entertainment District. For a full list of road and sidewalk impacts in the area, please visit CMLC’s C+E Access Map for real-time construction updates in the area. 

Three development permits are required to advance construction of Scotia Place.

February 2024

The Scotia Place design team (DIALOG & HOK) submitted two of three development permit applications required to assist in construction of the Scotia Place: 

1. Stripping and grading development permit
2. Shoring and excavation development permit

Following approval of these permits, it will allow the Scotia Place team to strip, grade, and excavate for the event centre. This work is targeted to begin later this year after the designs have been shared with the public.

Summer 2024

A separate and third development permit application for the building (including building design components such as exterior façade and interior layouts) was submitted in July 2024. 

We are committed to delivering this project as quickly as possible so Calgarians and visitors can begin using Scotia Place, community ice rink, and public amenities. It is a multi-year construction project, and every effort is being made to shorten the timeframe and avoid project delays. 

By sequencing the permit applications this way, we can schedule the work and trades required to begin the excavation process as soon as the design of Scotia Place is complete. This process creates efficiency and saves time and cost in the overall project schedule.

As part of the ongoing design process, we are monitoring how the design and scope are developing and how they align within the project budget. 

Like most projects within the construction industry, we are facing challenges relating to escalating construction costs, inflation, labour demands, and rising supply chain expenses. 

The project team remains proactive in tracking project costs and making financial decisions at every turn to ensure we deliver a project within budget that Calgarians can be proud of. 

The scope of this project is entirely different than before and now includes additional land parcels, public plazas, and a community rink.

Public engagement for the Rivers District Master Plan occurred between February 2017 and July 2018. January to April 2020, public engagement specific to a new Scotia Place was conducted during the Council-directed work on the previous Scotia Place agreements. Three main themes emerged from this work:

• Pride: Many see Scotia Place as an opportunity to revitalize east Victoria Park and the surrounding neighbourhoods, encourage growth and give Calgary a world-class facility they can be proud of.
• Variety: People want the space to offer a variety of exciting opportunities that will consistently attract locals and tourists year-round.
• Connection: Scotia Place should provide opportunities for Calgarians to connect with one another, with friends and family, business associates and their community.

All parties involved in Scotia Place acknowledge that public engagement previously occurred with respect to an event centre. This work is being considered and applied to the current project.

The project team also conducted Indigenous Engagement and outreach sessions with targeted interest-holders to further inform the final design approach.

Scotia Place will be designed and constructed to be LEED certified, and to meet Calgary’s goal of net zero by 2050.  

Consulting with local Indigenous Nations and communities was part of Scotia Place’s design process. The project team consulted with an Indigenous Advisory Committee to inform the design and find ways to capture the spirit of the Scotia Place location at the confluence and its connection to local Indigenous communities.

Yes. The Scotia Place development manager, design consultant and construction manager opportunities all went through a competitive procurement process. CAA ICON was awarded the development manager contract after an RFP process initiated in June 2023. DIALOG and HOK design consultants and CANA Mortenson construction management’s 2020 signed contracts were reinstated in accordance with the terms.

The City contracts subject matter experts on most projects funded by capital dollars, including Scotia Place. Scotia Place is unique and requires a specific experience to ensure the project is successful and provides the most value for Calgarians. 

When the discussions were underway towards a Scotia Place agreement, The City retained and was represented by CAA ICON.  These Deal Structure Advisors are experts in structuring successful deals and developing financing plans for Scotia Places, stadiums and other public assembly facilities in a broad variety of markets. Their role supported The City in realizing a new Scotia Place that meets the needs and public interests of Calgary and its citizens. Their experience includes representing both municipalities and private corporations for Scotia Places, which gives them insight to a number of successful projects in a broad variety of markets.  

Furthermore, there a few other contracts with estimated costs that have been awarded for the design and construction phase:

• CAA ICON – Development Manager: shared cost between CSEC and The City of Calgary  

• Dialog and HOK – Architect and Design: shared cost between CSEC and The City of Calgary  

• Cana Mortenson – Construction Manager: shared cost between CSEC and The City of Calgary

Scotia Place was identified as a priority for The City of Calgary in 2019 and budget was set aside for the previous iteration of the project. The balance of funding required will be transferred from the Major Capital Projects Reserve, the Fiscal Stability Reserve and the Budget Savings Account Merged Reserve. No increase in municipal taxes will be required to fund the project and The City of Calgary will not be taking on any additional debt.  

This agreement will help The City develop a vibrant Culture + Entertainment District, and fund a number of improvements to the area, including:

• Scotia Place
• Indoor community plaza
• Outdoor community event plazas
• Attached parkade
• Downtown’s only community rink, available for community sport and events
• Accessibility improvements (roads, sidewalks, accessibility ramps)
• Land acquired for future redevelopment site

The Scotia Place project is a shared investment between The City of Calgary, CSEC and the Government of Alberta:

• The City of Calgary: $537.3 million
• Calgary Sport and Entertainment Corporation: $356 million 
  • Lease payments: $748.3 million (a present value of $356 million)
    • $40 million investment upfront 
    • $17 million annual lease payment, escalating 1% per year for 35 years
  • Community sport funding: $52.5 million
    • $1.5 million annual payments to community sport funding 
  • Future land sales: 
    • Four properties identified for future redevelopment
    • Future sale of Victoria Park Bus Maintenance Facility 
• Government of Alberta: $330 million
  • Funding for mobility improvements 
  • Contributions to the community rink and outdoor community plazas
• Total project cost: $1.22 billion

Under the Municipal Government Act, The City of Calgary may charge fees for the use of its property. The facility fee is a charge that is imposed by The City and levied on the price of tickets, venue bookings or other revenue for events in Scotia Place. CSEC’s revenue will contribute to the annual payment.

• The first $17 million payment to The City of Calgary will be comprised of a rent payment ($7 million) and facility fee ($10 million) charged by The City of Calgary.
• For each year after, a 1% escalation cost will be added to the previous years’ annual payment. The facility fee and rent payment will escalate accordingly. 

The lease payment was structured to escalate in this way to ensure The City of Calgary will continue to benefit over time. 

The City has been granted security by CSEC, which includes a commitment by the Calgary Flames to stay in Calgary from now until the expiration of the 35-year initial lease term. If CSEC defaults under the Management and Lease Agreement (whether for bankruptcy or insolvency or otherwise), The City of Calgary has the right to require payment for the total amount of future payments in the balance of the 35-year initial term.

In the event of cost overruns on Scotia Place, CSEC and The City of Calgary will split the cost 50:50.

No. The City of Calgary is investing $515.3 million towards Scotia Place – which includes a Scotia Place, community rink, public gathering spaces, and future development sites. This project is a shared investment that would not be possible without the significant financial contributions from the Government of Alberta and CSEC.