A huge infrastructure project in Calgary’s Culture and Entertainment District is finally complete, and it will be a gamechanger for Flames games, the Stampede, concerts, conferences and more.
Pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles will have direct access to Stampede Park from Macleod Trail for the first time in 40 years starting Thursday, as the 17 Avenue SE Extension and Victoria Park/Stampede Station Rebuild is finished.
The $128 million project was led and funded by the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation.
“The completion of the 17 Avenue SE extension and the rebuild of Victoria Park/Stampede Station are transformative milestones for The Culture + Entertainment District. For the first time in four decades, we’ve reconnected Stampede Park to the Beltline neighbourhoods, unlocking new growth opportunities for the area,” said Kate Thompson, president and CEO of CMLC. “This essential connector, along with other infrastructure investments like Stampede Trail and the forthcoming 6 Street SE Underpass, will improve multi-modal access, drive local spending, and attract private investment to The District.”
The new, three lane extension of 17 Avenue SE will be named Flores LaDue Parade, connects the Beltline to the BMO Centre and the forthcoming Scotia Place event centre.
“Naming the new roadway Flores LaDue Parade is a nod to an iconic Calgary Stampede figure, Flores LaDue — trick roper, entrepreneur and community builder — and recognizes the spirit of celebration that will happen in this space with the road designation ‘Parade,’” said Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Cowley. “This new roadway and LRT station will elevate our guests’ sense of arrival, whether they’re attending a convention at the BMO Centre, an event at GMC Stadium, or visiting for a hockey game.”
The road extension will be managed by Calgary Stampede and have the flexibility to close during key events like Stampede and other large events that will take place in the surrounding outdoor area.
Upgrades to Victoria Park/Stampede Station include expanded side-loading platforms at street level along the north, south, and Macleod Trail entry points, and a 7,200 square-foot public area at the station’s south end.
“This upgrade was essential to address the limitations of the original station, which created significant physical and visual barriers. Replacing the elevated design with street-level, accessible platforms and removing obstacles like the Plus 15 walkway has dramatically improved safety, sightlines, and ease of access,” said general manager of operational services, Doug Morgan. “Along with the 17 Avenue S.E. Extension, the improvements in road and transit connectivity in our downtown will both support the present-day transportation needs of Calgarians and future-proof the area’s transportation network for the many more Calgarians who will someday call The C+E home.”
The station, on Calgary’s Red Line, serves approximately 47,000 riders a day, Morgan adds.
More than 500 workers logged over 450,000 hours to complete the station and the road extension.
CMLC is hosting an event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12 for Calgarians to explore the new station and extension ahead of the Flames’ home opener.