Design for Olympic Plaza Transformation Revealed
The $70M revitalization will reimagine the plaza as a more modern, inclusive, accessible and flexible public gathering space for generations to come
Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT)
A timely restoration of a Calgary cultural landmark
Olympic Plaza is envisioned as a seamless extension of the greater Werklund Centre (formerly Arts Commons) campus.
Overview
Reimagining a historic urban gathering place in downtown Calgary.
The Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT) is part of the $660M investment in the Werklund Centre campus. OPT will create an inclusive, accessible arts and culture-focused gathering space, building on the momentum of the investment and work already underway in downtown Calgary. As development manager for the project, CMLC will steward design and construction on behalf of our partners, Werklund Centre and The City of Calgary. See the findings from the public engagement program.
Location
Key Takeaways
- 1
$70 million transformation is fully funded
Funded by the Government of Alberta, The City of Calgary and Dave Werklund & Family, OPT is fully funded
- 2
Intimately connected to Werklund Centre
Werklund Centre will lead curated programming, operations and maintenance for the revitalized plaza after construction is complete.
- 3
Commemorating an Olympic legacy
The plaza integrates seamlessly with the Werklund Centre campus, honours its Olympic legacy, and enables programming day-to-day and year-round.
- 4
Elevating an entire downtown block
CMLC’s oversight of three concurrent projects in a single block creates design synergies, construction efficiencies and economies of scale.
Building a Complete Campus
Werklund Centre Transformation (WCT)
WCT is also part of the $660M investment in the Werklund Centre campus. Now under construction, the 170,000 square foot WCT Expansion will bring two new theatres to downtown Calgary.
Timeline
Upcoming steps towards project delivery
CMLC and its partners at Werklund Centre and The City of Calgary revealed the highly anticipated design for the Olympic Plaza Transformation project (OPT) in April 2025, marking a major milestone in realizing the $660 million transformation of the Werklund Centre campus, the largest infrastructure investment currently underway in Canada: https://www.calgarymlc.ca/articles/olympic-plaza-transformation-design-reveal
Development Agreement Signed
June 2023
Prime Design Team Announced
November 2023
Public Engagement
June 2024
Design Reveal
Early 2025
Construction Completion
2028
Design
Construction
Media & Recognition
Global News
District
Partners
- Werklund Centre
- The City of Calgary
Project Team9
gh3* Architecture, Urban Design & Landscape ArchitecturePrime Design Consultant
CCxA Landscape Architecture & Urban DesignPrime Design Consultant
Belleville PlacemakingPrime Design Consultant
Colliers Project LeadersProject Manager
EllisDonConstruction Manager
AecomCivil Engineering & Planning
Level Playing FieldAccessibility Consultant
Domingo Gonzalez AssociatesLighting Design
Trizart AllianceAcoustic & Theatre Planning
Articles11
Emerging Local Artists Transform Downtown Construction Hoarding into Vibrant Canvas for Temporary Art Installations
Public art initiative showcases Calgary's creative talent as part of the Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza Transformation projects
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation prepares for ambitious year of progress in Rivers District, expansion into new communities
New 2025-2029 Strategic Plan outlines continued Rivers District investment and application of community-building expertise beyond the District’s boundaries in support of City’s housing strategy
Groundbreaking for Arts Commons Transformation expansion sets the stage for early January 2025 construction start
Project partners prepare to build first phase of largest cultural infrastructure project underway in Canada.
Olympic Plaza Transformation project advancing through engagement, design
CMLC shares key findings from public engagement and next steps for construction preparation, invites Calgarians to commemorate Olympic bricks.
One Iconic Plaza, Infinite Possibilities: CMLC launches public engagement for Olympic Plaza Transformation project
Calgarians are invited to participate in an online survey this month to share their ideas and aspirations to ensure that Olympic Plaza evolves as a beloved gathering place for many years to come.
Design for Arts Commons Transformation expansion revealed
The first phase of the $660M transformation project will add a new building with a 1,000-seat theatre and 200-seat studio theatre to the Arts Commons campus.
CMLC to advance more than $1B in major project completions and initiations in 2024
As several major city-building projects near completion in The Culture + Entertainment District, CMLC advances new 6 St S.E. Underpass project and prepares for construction on Arts Commons Transformation project.
A look back at 2023 as we ready ourselves for the year ahead
Critical infrastructure, major vertical builds, development progress, innovative placemaking and collaborative partnerships underpin CMLC’s major accomplishments from 2023. These achievements not only solidify CMLC's role in shaping the city's future but also lay the groundwork for continued urban development and transformative growth for Calgary’s east end in the year ahead.
Prime Design Team Announced for Olympic Plaza Transformation
Leading landscape architecture and placemaking firms from Toronto, Montreal, New York and Calgary will reimagine the beloved outdoor gathering space.
Olympic Plaza Transformation Set To Begin
Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) and its partners, The City of Calgary and Arts Commons, are thrilled to announce the Olympic Plaza Transformation—a new city-building initiative to renew an important but aging downtown cultural space, amplify the potential of the Arts Commons Transformation (ACT) and foster continued revitalization of the downtown core.
Resources1
Olympic Plaza Transformation Engagement Report
In Q1/2 2024, CMLC delivered a public engagement program to inform design and programming considerations for the Olympic Plaza Transformation (OPT) project. This report highlights the expressed needs, priorities and aspirations of Calgarians that were raised during this process.
Published
