Olympic Plaza foundations nearly complete as Werklund Centre expansion advances downtown
CMLC and the city updated progress Thursday on the $68M plaza redesign and $306M theatre expansion, both targeted for 2028.
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Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and the city provided an update Thursday on the Olympic Plaza transformation and Werklund Centre expansion, showing progress on two major downtown projects behind fencing across from City Hall.
Olympic Plaza's foundations are nearly complete, with infrastructure work continuing over the coming months, Kate Thompson, president and CEO of CMLC, said. The plaza will retain its winter skating rink, which will convert to a fountain during warmer months.
Work on the Werklund Centre expansion is further along. The expansion will add a 1,000-seat theatre and a 200-seat venue, both named for donors supporting the project. The 200-seat theatre will be called the McCann family theatre, funded by a $4 million donation from Rodney J. McCann.
"This will create an unparalleled space that will allow a multitude of diverse artists, performers and presenters to call it home," McCann said in a statement.
Ward 7 Coun. Myke Atkinson said: "Those kinds of spaces really allow for the local arts community to come in and take root and build the kind of art scene that really thrives."
Both the Olympic Plaza revitalization and Werklund Centre expansion are targeted for completion in 2028.
What is the total combined cost of the Olympic Plaza redesign and Werklund Centre expansion?
What capacity and programming do the existing Werklund Centre theatres have that these new spaces will replace or supplement?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
How much is the Werklund Centre expansion costing?
The Werklund Centre expansion is budgeted at $306 million.
What theatres are being added to the Werklund Centre?
The expansion will add a 1,000-seat theatre and a 200-seat venue called the McCann family theatre, funded by a $4 million donation from Rodney J. McCann.
What will happen to Olympic Plaza's skating rink?
Olympic Plaza will retain its winter skating rink, which will convert to a fountain during warmer months.
