Flames new home work full ‘steam’ ahead

Article posted by Coliseum, January 17^th, 2025

Image: Calgary Flames and NHL

The Scotia Place in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is about to embark on a monumental year full of exciting progress. In December 2024, the Calgary Planning Commission (CPC) unanimously approved the Scotia Place design and granted the project its final development permit.

‘Calgary’ stated that this significant milestone means that the next phase of construction will start right on schedule once excavation is complete by Spring 2025.

The 18,400-capacity Scotia Place is a multipurpose arena under construction in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is intended to replace the Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). Construction began following the groundbreaking on July 22^nd, 2024, and the new arena is planned to open prior to the start of the 2027-2028 NHL seasons.

The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference.

The 19,289-capacity Scotiabank Saddledome is a multiuse indoor arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It serves as the home of the Calgary Flames.

New York City (US)-based the National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams – 25 in the United States and 7 in Canada.

The Calgary Planning Commission (CPC) is a committee appointed annually by the City Council. The Commission acts as the Approving Authority on all subdivision matters and as Development Authority on some development matters.

Observed Bob Hunter, Project Committee Member, “With the Calgary Planning Commission’s final approval on the Scotia Place design it is exciting to think about the amount of work that will take place over the next two and a half years. Excavating to the bottom of the site will be the first of many exciting milestones we will see between 2025 and the project’s completion in 2027.”

‘Calgary’ further stated that since excavation began in July 2024 crews have dug down over 10 meters to lower the event bowl of Scotia Place. This design feature gives the visitors a barrier-free experience between the main concourse and the outdoor plaza providing street level accessibility and integration with The Culture + Entertainment District. In early 2025, the Calgarians will see more materials and workers on site as important underground utility work and installation of the foundation begins. Structural concrete and steel work across the entire site will occur over 2025 – foundation walls will go up first followed by below grade columns, stairs, elevator cores, and access ramps.

Over the past two years, the project team has been intensely focused on designing a premier sports and entertainment venue and a new downtown destination for all the Calgarians. Strong alignment between the City and its partner, the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) and the development team helped to expedite the design process, ready the Scotia Place design for approval and keep the project on schedule.

Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) are a professional sports and entertainment company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Remarked Robert Hayes, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation President-cum-Chief Executive Officer (CEO), “The work that has been accomplished to allow us to arrive here today is truly remarkable. We have witnessed it in the boardrooms for the past year and now we see it out our windows everyday as the Scotia Place is becoming a reality. We are both proud and appreciative of the teamwork displayed by the partners to create Calgary’s premier sports and entertainment destination that will be enjoyed by all Calgarians.”

Added Hunter, “The design of Scotia Place exemplifies the extraordinary collaboration between the project partners and the top industry professionals. United by a shared vision, we are building a modern gathering place that honors its culturally significant setting on the ancestral and historical land of the Indigenous Peoples. The Scotia Place also reflects its significance to Calgary’s Downtown and The Culture + Entertainment District creating a new destination for generations of Calgarians and visitors. This collaborative effort produced a design that is both innovative and inclusive to all – a new landmark that Calgarians can truly be proud of.”

Designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind the Scotia Place will offer welcoming spaces for all. Beyond hosting the sporting events and the concerts the site will accommodate a wide range of indoor and outdoor community events. With a community rink, publicly accessible dining options and retail shops the Scotia Place will inject new energy into the area creating a vibrant destination for the Calgarians and the visitors from near and far.

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