Olympic Plaza transformation underway downtown
Construction started Wednesday on a major revamp of the iconic 1988 Olympics site, bringing food, green space, and a skating rink.
Downtown Calgary's Olympic Plaza is getting a major overhaul. Construction began Wednesday on a revitalization project that will reshape the space into a hub for food, markets, and events.
The plaza will feature a new pavilion with food and beverage options, washrooms, and green space, plus room for markets and programs. The site can accommodate events with up to 5,000 people, and the iconic skating rink will return. A 12-metre-tall central feature bearing the official 1988 Olympic Winter Games emblem will anchor the design.
The project is being funded by the Government of Alberta, the City of Calgary, and Dave Werklund & Family. It runs alongside the Werklund Centre Transformation, which will add two new theatres and a 170,000 sq. ft. expansion to the downtown performing arts complex.
Olympic Plaza is expected to reopen in 2028. The plaza has been the heart of downtown since the 1988 Games — this revamp aims to keep it that way.