After receiving proposals from firms across the globe, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and the Calgary Stampede selected Stantec, Populous, and S2 Architecture as primary consultants for the $500-million BMO Centre expansion project.
“The team at Stantec, Populous, and S2 Architecture offer un-paralleled expertise in not only the building’s design, but how it will interact and integrate with the surrounding community and Stampede Park. After years of planning, it is very exciting to bring this team on board to realize our vision,” said Dana Peers, President & Chairman of the Board of the Calgary Stampede.
Chosen for their involvement in convention centre design and global community projects, Stantec, an Edmonton-based design and consulting company, will act as the Calgary-based prime consultant and Architect of Record (AOR). Global architectural firm Populous will be the architectural design lead, and S2’s interior design and architectural firm will lead the construction administration team.
“With our background in convention centre design, Populous will help expand not only a marquee events facility, but also expand and grow the whole guest experience in and around Stampede Park. Our design solutions for this complex urban convention centre expansion will help usher an exciting new future where residents and international event attendees co-exist daily in a dynamic and burgeoning Culture and Entertainment district,” said Michael Lockwood, senior principal at Populous.
The centre’s construction is scheduled to commence in April 2021, and the facility will open in June 2024. This expansion is part of a large-scale enhancement to the Stampede Park and will spark development of Calgary’s emerging Culture and Entertainment District.
Working closely together as partners and neighbours since 2007, the Calgary Stampede has tapped CMLC to act as development manager for the project.
The Calgary Stampede have also enlisted convention venue operations specialist HLT Advisory Inc., project management firm M3 Development and construction management by PCL Construction to complete the expansion team
The redevelopment of downtown Calgary’s east end, and the BMO Centre expansion, is a shared vision to diversify Calgary’s economy through trade and tourism by the CMLC, the Calgary Stampede, and the City of Calgary.
“We’ve always been about community building, and this project is a perfect driver for the Culture & Entertainment District,” said Michael Brown, President and CEO, CMLC. “The BMO Centre expansion is a transformational project that will make significant direct and indirect contributions to the growing energy and excitement in east Victoria Park. It’s a signal to the world that Calgary is coming into its own as a first-class destination for international visitors. The Calgary Stampede is a wonderfully supportive and gracious partner in giving CMLC the honour of delivering the city’s top-tier convention centre it deserves.”
According to the developers, construction of the BMO expansion will support 1,862 direct year-round jobs in Alberta. Once construction finalized, the expansion will create 1,757 direct, full-time jobs.