After much anticipation, sports fans have gotten their first look at the new Calgary event centre.

Scotia Place, which will replace the Saddledome as the home of the Flames, will be “a place of warmth and energy that brings people together,” according to the city and Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), who shared renderings of the building.

“This is an important day for Calgary,” said Councillor Sonya Sharp, Event Centre Committee Chair on Monday.

“Today is about so much more than the designs of a building. Today is the unveiling of a place where Calgarians and visitors from around the world will make memories at concerts, and sport and community events. I hope that everyone is as excited as we are, knowing that Scotia Place will become the complete experience in our new Culture & Entertainment District.”

Influenced by the ancestral and historical land of Indigenous Peoples, the final design will reflect the four elements of nature – ice, land, air, and (of course) fire.

To demonstrate this, the structure’s base will be made up of glacial-like forms that feed into a textured flame motif that will light the night.

As for where history will take place in the near future? Those behind the design have decided to lower the ice surface to street level so visitors are able to move seamlessly between the curb, the primary concourse and the outdoor public plazas.

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In addition to the landmark itself, Scotia Place will open in tandem with a 10-acre city block which will include a community rink, outdoor and indoor plazas, four restaurants, a Calgary Flames Team Store and future development opportunities in the northeast corner.

“Calgary has a long history of hosting world-class events, drawing millions of visitors to the city each year, generating revenue for local businesses, and boosting the economy,” said Danielle Smith, Premier of the Province of Alberta.

“With construction on the Calgary Rivers District and Event Centre now underway, Calgary is one step closer to a revitalized downtown that will bring new energy into the city, attract more exciting events, and create jobs to improve the quality of life for Calgarians.”

So when can we expect to see its grand opening?

If everything goes to plan, Calgarians will be encouraged to visit the attraction in the fall of 2027.

As always, we’ll keep you updated as new information rolls in, but until then – get ready!

It certainly won’t be long now.

Cassandra Stefanic

Regional Editor, Prairies –Cassandra is a Calgary-based journalist with a deep appreciation for music, film, food, travelling, and storytelling. When she’s not chasing a story, writing, or editing, you’ll likely find her in the mountains, binge-watching a new series, at a speakeasy, cooking, or getting lost in a Taylor Swift re-record.

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