'Exciting moment': Groundbreaking ceremony held for Calgary’s performing arts centre expansion

An exterior nighttime rendering shows the Arts Commons Transformation expansion’s curved form, exterior cladding, and interior finishes inspired by Alberta’s dramatic landscapes and the regional lodge typologies. (CMLC)

Wednesday marked an important step forward in the multimillion-dollar makeover of Calgary's performing arts centre.

The current Arts Commons complex, located in the 200 block of Eighth Avenue S.W., will be upgraded and a new building will be constructed nearby along Seventh Avenue S.W., next to Teatro, as part of the expansion.

Though construction on the new building – called the Arts Commons Transformation Expansion (ACT) – won't begin until January, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Jack Singer Concert Hall on Wednesday.

Premier Danielle Smith and Mayor Jyoti Gondek were among those in attendance.

The construction of ACT is a collaboration between the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), the City of Calgary and Arts Commons.

Designed by KPMB Architects, Hindle Architects and Tawaw Architecture Collective, the building is expected to be completed by 2028.

"A groundbreaking is an exciting moment in any project," said CMLC president and CEO Kate Thompson.

"It represents the culmination of years of advocacy, design, approvals and planning, and marks the beginning of really bringing a project to life.

"We can’t wait for the ACT expansion to begin to take its place in Calgary’s iconic skyline."

The expansion will boost Arts Commons’ seating capacity by 45 per cent, and is one of three big undertakings in the area.

The other two phases include the modernization of the existing Arts Commons building and the transformation of Olympic Plaza.

All three projects together, plus a $50-million Arts Commons endowment, are estimated to cost $660 million.

"The arts are undeniably important to Calgary’s identity as a dynamic and evolving city," said Smith, adding that Alberta's arts-related industries are significant contributors to the economy.

"Investing in our world-class performing arts centre will create a beacon for Calgary's downtown and encourage further private sector investment in our city's core,” said Gondek.

"This is the kind of project that shows the world how exceptional Calgary-made architecture and cultural experiences have become."