The $500-million project will serve as a catalyst of Calgary’s Rivers
District development
EDMONTON, Alberta & NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and the Calgary Stampede
have selected Stantec, Populous, and S2 to serve as the primary
consultants for the $500-million BMO Centre expansion project in
Calgary, Alberta. The project is part of a large-scale enhancement to
Calgary’s iconic Stampede Park, and will spark development of Calgary’s
emerging Culture & Entertainment District.
Stantec will act as the Calgary-based prime consultant and Architect of
Record (AOR), Populous will be the architectural design lead, and S2
Architecture will lead the construction administration team. Stantec
will also provide mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and
other specialty consulting services for the project.
“The BMO Centre Expansion project is the key pillar to transforming east
Victoria Park within Calgary’s Rivers District,” says Léo Lejeune,
senior principal at Stantec. “Stantec took great pride in helping CMLC
usher in a new era in the Rivers District by designing and implementing
the well-loved, award-winning Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk™ along the
Bow River. Urban connectivity and community activation have always been
important parts of our design approach, and we bring this same
perspective to the BMO Centre expansion project.”
Establishing an International Destination
The expansion project will transform the BMO Centre into a modern and
international-ready venue. BMO Centre has been Calgary’s premier venue
for consumer and trade shows, special events, meetings, and conferences
since its opening in 1982. Two previous expansions have allowed it to
hold its own among the region’s meeting and convention venues and this
latest expansion—the design of which is set to begin—will position the
facility to compete with top-tier global convention centres.
“We’ve always been about community building, and this project is a
perfect driver for the Culture & Entertainment District,” says 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.”
A key component of the redevelopment of downtown Calgary’s east end and
BMO Centre expansion is the shared vision of CMLC, the Calgary Stampede,
and the City of Calgary to diversify Calgary’s economy by developing
trade and tourism within the region. The expanded BMO Centre will enable
Calgary to compete for major international meetings and
conventions—which will add jobs, inject new energy, and help catalyze
the transformation of downtown Calgary’s east end into the city’s new
Culture & Entertainment District.
A Highly Experienced Collaboration
After receiving 12 proposals from firms across the globe, CMLC and the
Calgary Stampede selected the Stantec- Populous-S2 team. This team has
extensive international experience in convention centre design, intimate
understanding of the building requirements and the local area, and a
strong sense of how the centre fits into and enhances the local
community. Stantec has recently upgraded two associated Major League
Baseball (MLB) facilities, Wrigleyville
in Chicago and McGregor
Square in Denver. Populous brings experience from designs like ICC
Sydney, San Antonio Convention Center and the Anaheim Convention Center.
S2 has delivered a creative corporate campus in Calgary.
“The collective experience and strength of this team is a testament to
the importance of the BMO Centre expansion for Calgary,” says Dana
Peers, President & Chairman of the Board of the Calgary Stampede. “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.”
Chosen for their complementary expertise — Stantec’s global involvement
in transformational community projects, Populous’ innovative practices
in international convention centre design, and S2’s local experience in
projects on the Stampede Park and in east Victoria Park — the three-firm
design team will begin design immediately.
“We’re honored to partner with CMLC and the Calgary Stampede on a
project that has such a rich history of bringing people together for
unforgettable experiences,” says Michael Lockwood, senior principal at
Populous. “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.”
About Stantec
Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the
globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging.
That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.
We care about the communities we serve—because they’re our communities
too. This allows us to assess what’s needed and connect our expertise,
to appreciate nuances and envision what’s never been considered, to
bring together diverse perspectives so we can collaborate toward a
shared success.
We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating
together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client
relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that
advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.
Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN. Visit us at
stantec.com or find us on social media.
About Populous
Populous is a global architecture and design firm that designs the
places where people love to be together, like Yankee Stadium, the London
Olympics, and the Super Bowl. Over the last 36 years, the firm has
designed more than 3,000 projects worth $40 billion across the world’s
top cities, including working with more than 50 convention center
clients over the last 20 years. Designs for places like ICC Sydney, Los
Angeles Convention Center, Anaheim Convention Center and George R Brown
Convention Center create emotional connections between people and the
civic, sports and entertainment places and events they love best.
Recognized as an industry leader in master planning and design of
convention and exhibition facilities, Populous approaches convention
center design from the viewpoint that our work should enable your
business. Recognizing these buildings are intended to sell, Populous
looks for ways to maximize operational efficiencies, connect guests with
the city, and enhance the customer experience. Populous has 14 offices
on four continents with regional centers in Kansas City, London and
Brisbane. For more information visit www.populous.com
or follow @Populous on Twitter.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding the
project described above, including statements regarding Stantec’s role
and involvement on the project. Forward-looking statements also include
any other statements that do not refer to historical facts. By their
nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and subject
to inherent risks and uncertainties. There is a risk that the project
described above may be delayed, cancelled, suspended or terminated. This
could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements made in this news release. Except as may be required by law,
Stantec undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are provided
herein for the purpose of giving information about the proposed contract
referred to above and its expected impact. Readers are cautioned that
such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Design with community in mind
Contacts
Media Contact
Danny Craig
Stantec Media Relations
Ph:
949-923-6085
[email protected]
Investor Contact
Cora Klein
Stantec Investor Relations
Ph:
780-969-2018
[email protected]
