Despite tariff worries, Calgary’s Scotia Place is on time, budget

Members of Calgary’s Event Centre committee met for the last time Thursday, as the project continues full speed ahead.

The committee was put together in 2022 after the original event centre deal fell apart.

Now, despite running into some road blocks, the $1.25 billion project is currently on time and on budget.

However, all eyes have shifted to construction, and the possible impact of U.S. tariffs.

The project team says a $80 million deal has been struck to source steel from Europe and manufacture it in Hamilton, but the same can’t be said for everything else; there are significant elements like video boards, sound systems, and seats, that generally have to come from the U.S.

So far, contracts have been sourced locally for concrete and excavation, according to the city.

This month crews worked on the foundation and below the ground construction, leading to the completion of 90 per cent of the required shoring and excavation. Approximately 1,110 structural piles were also installed this month.

The city says there will be more ground breaking this summer, but most of the work between now and the fall will be below street level. Later this year, work is expected to move above ground.

Project team members are hopeful interior construction will start in 2026.

About 28 per cent of the total project cost has been spent and the city says the facility is likely to open as scheduled in the fall of 2027.

Updates regarding the impact of tariffs on the project will be provided to the public.