Construction of entrance to Stampede Park begins
When project ends in 2024, visitors will have easier access to grounds
The maze of fences and concrete spiral stairs that cut off Stampede Park from neighbourhoods across Macleod Trail is about to be demolished.
The Calgary Municipal Land Corp. (CMLC) announced Thursday the groundbreaking for construction of a new west entrance to Stampede Park. It includes street-level access into the park for cars and pedestrians, plus a new design for the Victoria Park/ Stampede Ctrain station.
When the entire project is finished in 2024, Calgarians will be able to walk directly into the Stampede grounds from the west for the first time since the 1970s, when construction on the Red Line LRT severed the park from the Beltline. The Ctrain station will also be accessible from the street, without having to wind up and down stairs or ramps to get on the train.
Stampede vice-president of park planning and development Jim Laurendeau said the redesign will be a “postcard shot” for Calgary.
“This used to be the front door of Stampede Park,” he said. “We're really looking forward to reopening our front door here and welcoming the world to Stampede Park from the west.”
Construction will start with dismantling the aging Plus-15 pathway over Macleod Trail, and a temporary Ctrain platform will be built so the LRT can keep running throughout the next three years of construction. The new ground-level station will be finished first, in 2023, and the 17th Avenue extension, connecting to Olympic Way S.E., will be done the following year. It's scheduled to finish in tandem with work on the $500-million BMO Centre expansion.
CMLC president and CEO Kate Thompson said the process of extending a road might sound straightforward, but the project is extremely complex, and starting construction has taken years of planning.
“It's the road coming over the (LRT) tracks — which seems simple, and isn't — then we have a $500-million expansion to the BMO Centre that becomes a backdrop and a meeting place and a gathering place. And then a brand new Calgary Transit LRT stop.”
Laurendeau said more than half of Stampede attendees will come in through the west gate each year. Some arrive on transit but others come on foot from the Beltline. When 17th Avenue is extended into Stampede Park, it will be closed to vehicles during the 10 days of Stampede, and could also be shut down for other major events in the area.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi added the work is a big deal for connecting the 17th Avenue retail district to the East Village, through Stampede Park. “I think the whole neighbourhood will be vastly improved,” he said.
There will be periodic lane closures of northbound Macleod Trail during construction, and signal times at the 17th Avenue and Macleod Trail intersection will be revised.
Thompson said that ultimately, the new crossing and park entrance will look — and work — a lot better.
It's a major part of the overall redesign of East Victoria Park to make it into what the city is calling a cultural and entertainment district. In addition to the expanded BMO Centre, there are plans for a new arena and redesigned public spaces to make the area more inviting.
CMLC is supposed to be the project manager for the $550-million arena project, but the land corporation's involvement is currently up in the air as representatives from the city and Calgary Flames ownership group negotiate potential changes to the deal.
Depending on how talks have progressed, city council is due to hear an update on the project next week.