Feds contributing $166.6 million toward BMO Centre expansion
Posted Mar 12, 2019 3:40 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — The planned BMO Convention and Trade Centre expansion has taken another step forward with significant funding commitments from all levels of government.
The federal government announced a contribution of $166.6 million, while the provincial government and the City of Calgary are also each providing the same amount.
The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede previously committed $3.9 million.
READ MORE: Council votes 11-4 to pass plans on new events centre
Through these investments, the BMO Centre will more than double in size to almost one million square feet — making it the second largest convention facility in all of Canada.
Ward 1 Councillor Ward Sutherland said this will make the BMO the centrepoint in the country.
“The BMO expansion will be the first anchor of the entertainment and cultural district. Hopefully, along with the event centre, this will generate millions of dollars of private investment for the Rivers District and it’s going to move Calgary forward.”
It’s expected that 1,800 jobs will be created during construction, with 500 new full-time positions once the work is complete.
The BMO expansion is part of four capital projects the City gave conditional approval to, also including an event centre, a fieldhouse and an expansion for Arts Commons.
