Scotia Place: A New Landmark for Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District
Calgary, a city known for its vibrant energy and stunning natural beauty, is on the cusp of a transformative development that promises to redefine its cultural landscape. At the heart of this exciting transformation lies Scotia Place, Calgary’s newest event centre, poised to become a beacon of community and connection in the burgeoning Culture + Entertainment District. This state-of-the-art venue, designed as a place where everyone can feel welcome, is a testament to Calgary’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
The design of Scotia Place, a collaboration between the City of Calgary, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), and renowned architectural firms HOK-DIALOG and CAA ICON, is deeply rooted in the city’s rich history and cultural tapestry. It pays homage to the ancestral and historical land of Indigenous Peoples, acknowledging the profound significance of the site as a gathering place for generations. The design beautifully blends Indigenous cultural perspectives with Calgary’s natural beauty, reflecting the four elements of nature – fire, ice, land, and air.
The building’s central structure, adorned with a textured flame motif, serves as a powerful symbol of unity and connection. This evocative flame, reminiscent of a home fire, is a place of warmth and energy, where stories are shared, memories are forged, and new chapters are written. The flame rises from the lower parts of the building, which are characterized by white, glacial-like forms, symbolizing the city’s unique connection to the natural world.
“When you consider that Calgary is already the envy of other cities with a new world-class convention centre in the heart of the Culture + Entertainment District, the addition of Scotia Place is another signal to investors that our city understands how to build a future that leverages hospitality and hosting as its core strengths,” says Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “We are also acknowledging and honouring the foundational role that Indigenous communities have played for generations in making Calgary, and now Scotia Place, a space where we all belong.”
Scotia Place, scheduled to open in fall 2027, is more than just a building; it is a vibrant hub for community and connection. Spread across a 10-acre city block, it includes a community rink, outdoor and indoor plaza spaces, four restaurants, the Calgary Flames Team Store, and future development opportunities in the northeast corner. It will be a welcoming space for the 8,000 people who will call this new downtown neighbourhood home.
- Scotia Place is Calgary’s newest event center, set to become a central hub in the Culture + Entertainment District, showcasing the city’s commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
- The venue’s design, a collaboration between the City of Calgary, CSEC, and architectural firms HOK-DIALOG and CAA ICON, pays tribute to Indigenous Peoples’ ancestral land and cultural significance, blending it with Calgary’s natural beauty.
- The building’s design incorporates elements representing fire, ice, land, and air, symbolizing unity and connection within the community. The flame motif at the center signifies warmth, energy, storytelling, and new beginnings.
- Scotia Place is not just a physical structure but a vibrant space for community engagement and connection. Scheduled to open in fall 2027 on a 10-acre city block, it aims to further enhance Calgary’s reputation as a top destination for events and hospitality.
Scotia Place: A Vision for the Future
The unveiling of Scotia Place’s design is a significant milestone for Calgary, marking the beginning of a new era for the city’s cultural landscape. Beyond the building itself, the project represents a commitment to fostering community, celebrating diversity, and creating a vibrant space where everyone feels welcome and connected.
The event centre’s name, Scotia Place, is a testament to the city’s partnership with Scotiabank, a long-standing supporter of Calgary’s sports and entertainment scene. This partnership underscores the importance of community involvement and shared vision in creating a thriving and vibrant city.
“For years we have seen firsthand the value these partnerships bring to the communities in which we operate and for our clients,” said Aris Bogdaneris, Group Head, Canadian Banking of Scotiabank. “Scotia Place introduces a bold new vision for what will be Alberta’s premier sports and entertainment venue. For nearly 20 years, Scotiabank has been a proud partner of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation and together, we are committed to bring fans and our clients an unforgettable experience when they walk through the doors of Scotia Place.”
Scotia Place is poised to become a magnet for events, attracting visitors from across the globe and injecting new energy into the city’s downtown core. The event centre will host a wide range of events, from concerts and sporting events to community gatherings and conferences, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. The project’s impact extends beyond the realm of entertainment, promising to generate economic growth and create new job opportunities for Calgarians.
The Heart of the Community: A Place Where Everyone Belongs
At the core of Scotia Place’s design lies a deep commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. The event centre is being built with universal accessible design principles in mind, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the space regardless of their abilities. This commitment is reflected in the building’s layout, which includes ramps, elevators, and other features that make it easy to navigate for people of all ages and abilities.
The event centre’s public plazas are designed to honor the deep-rooted connection that Indigenous Peoples have with the land, incorporating representations of the tipi, Métis Trapper’s Tent, and elements of Alberta’s world-renowned natural landscape. These features serve as a reminder of the land’s history and the importance of acknowledging and respecting Indigenous cultures.
“It was great to be part of a truly representative voice that included all indigenous peoples of southern Alberta regarding the design of this center acknowledging the historic significance of the land it sits on to the Metis people,” said Carmen Lasante Captain of the Calgary Elbow Metis District. “Inclusivity is a core part of who the Metis are. The City has worked hard to include many diverse histories together in creating this space.”
An important design decision was to lower the event and ice surface so that the primary concourse will be at street-level. Calgarians and visitors will be able to move seamlessly between the curb, the primary concourse, and the outdoor public plazas. This design choice promotes accessibility, creating a welcoming and integrated space for everyone.
A Symbol of Sustainability and Innovation
Scotia Place is not only a celebration of community and culture but also a testament to Calgary’s commitment to sustainability. The event centre is being built with energy and water conservation built in to maximize efficiencies and the ability to be net-zero by 2050. This commitment to sustainability ensures that the event centre will be a responsible and environmentally conscious space for generations to come.
Scotia Place is more than just a new event centre; it is a symbol of Calgary’s ambition and vision for the future. This innovative project promises to revitalize the city’s downtown core, create new opportunities for growth and development, and enhance the quality of life for all Calgarians. As construction begins this week, the excitement for this transformative project is palpable, and it is clear that Scotia Place is poised to become a beloved landmark for the city and a beacon of community for generations to come.
