The design for the new home of the Calgary Flames, AHL Wranglers and WHL Hitmen is said to reflect the city's climate and community spirit.
The City of Calgary held a groundbreaking event on Monday afternoon for the new home of the Calgary Flames, AHL Wranglers and WHL Hitmen.
Along with the Flames and the Government of Alberta, Calgary revealed the design renderings of the new arena, named Scotia Place.
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis previously reported that Calgary Sports and Entertainment Group, the City of Calgary and the Province of Alberta were set to officially begin building the new $926-million event center on July 22 with a sod-turning event. This state-of-the-art facility will feature an 18,000-seat arena, slated to be completed in time for the 2027-28 NHL season.
The design of Scotia Place is said to reflect Calgary's unique character and natural surroundings, with elements inspired by the city's cold climate and Indigenous heritage.
The building is designed to bring people together, symbolizing the balance of fire and ice, which represents Calgary's climate and community spirit, according to the announcement. The upper outdoor section of the building, which holds the flames, contrasts with the lower section, symbolizing ice and the flow of relationships.
Renderings of the new arena were unveiled during the event, showcasing not only the main arena but also a community rink, a parkade and an indoor and outdoor event plaza.
The new facility will be located two blocks north of the current Scotiabank Saddledome, which has been the Flames' home since 1983.
In addition to the main arena, the community rink will seat 1,000 people and serve as a practice facility. It will have its own private entrance and can operate independently, providing flexibility for various events and activities.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed her excitement about the project, highlighting the provincial government’s investment and the event center's significance to downtown Calgary's revitalization strategy. She noted that such facilities are more than just buildings; they are venues where special memories are made, contributing to the city’s vibrant community spirit and identity.
As part of the project, the stakeholders worked with an Indigenous advisory group that had people from the Treaty 7 Nations, Metis Nation of Alberta, urban Indigenous communities and more.
“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,” Carmen Lasante, captain of the Calgary Elbow Metis District, said in the announcement.
Added Ira Provost of Piikani Nation Consultation: “Engaging in the right way is fundamental to the success of relationship development with the Indigenous communities, as we have played a critical role in the identity of the land now known as the city of Calgary as the Indigenous nations are inextricably linked to the landscape and environment.”
The ongoing collaboration between Scotiabank, Calgary Sports and Entertainment, the City of Calgary, the Province of Alberta and Indigenous nations is expected to bring this ambitious project to life over the next few years. Part of their goals is to be net-zero by 2050 by keeping energy and water conservation in mind.
Construction is expected to begin this week.
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