Post-Stampede construction ramps back up in Calgary’s entertainment district

After a pause to accommodate 1.4 million visitors for the 114th Calgary Stampede, construction is ramping back up in and around the Culture and Entertainment District.

Starting on Monday, there will be temporary lane, street and sidewalk closures in the area, according to the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), which is leading the development of the district.

Real-time construction and detour updates can be found on this access map, but immediate disruptions will include:

• The full closure of Sixth Street S.E. between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue S.E. until mid-September for the Sixth Street S.E. underpass.
• Lane reductions along Ninth Avenue S.E. for the rest of the year.
• Road and sidewalk closures on 14th Avenue S.E., 5A Street S.E. and Flores LaDue Parade until the fall for infrastructure upgrades.
• Intermittent multi-lane closures on 12th Avenue S.E. between Sixth Street S.E. and Stampede Trail S.E. until late July for Scotia Place construction.

“We know construction of this nature can be disruptive and we know that we’ve been at work here in the district for a couple of years already, with more to come,” said Emma Stevens, director of communications and external relations at CMLC.

“We’re confident that it will be worth it on the build out … We really are grateful to Calgarians for their patience.”

Stevens recommends people driving into the district enter the area from 25th Avenue S.E., where construction is less impactful. She also recommends taking transit, walking or cycling.

The Culture and Entertainment District, located in Calgary’s east Victoria Park, is expected to be home to new hotels, restaurants and retail — anchored by Stampede Park and the upcoming Scotia Place.

Showing off Scotia Place

This year’s Calgary Stampede was the perfect opportunity to show off the progress made on Scotia Place, according to Bob Hunter, a project committee member for the city.

“We can’t wait until next year, when they can see it almost finished,” said Hunter.

“It’s a great message to Albertans that we’ve invested what will be a spectacular sports and entertainment centre. When you can see the finished product, I think people are going to be very, very excited and proud about what we’ve done.”

Hunter said the project remains on time and on budget, despite logistical challenges such as getting 800 construction workers with various backgrounds on site every day, on a tight deadline.

Until the project is completed in the fall of 2027, Hunter said his team is doing their best to minimize disruptions and he appreciates Calgarians for bearing through them.

“When you’ve got a project this size — physically this size, and schedule- and budget-wise this size — it is very, very challenging for that neighbourhood,” he said.

“Give us another 15 or 17 months, and it’ll be all over.”