Since the eighties, we’ve all known the BMO Centre at Stampede Park as a hub for connection, celebration, and community. Today, with a $500 million expansion, the venue is set to change the landscape of events in Canada.
Now the largest conference facility in Western Canada, the BMO Centre boasts over one million square feet of total floor space, completely inspired by Calgary’s Western hospitality and vision for a bright future.
Fresh off of our partnership announcement, we’re eager to take you through the stunning space at the heart of Calgary’s Culture + Entertainment District.
When Populous set out to design a centre that reflects our city, their team immersed themselves in the Stampede experience and came out the other side with a clear understanding of the uniquely Calgary juxtaposition of rugged energy and modern glamour.
The building mirrors this interplay, drawing from local geography–sculpted riverbanks, rolling foothills and towering mountains–mixed with the shine of a belt buckle, a very familiar sight for Stampede-goers. The exterior captures this feeling with textured copper cladding sweeping toward the sky in contrast with its grounded, earth-toned base.
Adam Paulitsch, Principal, Senior Architect, Populous, shares:
“Knowing that gathering is central to the human experience, we created a hospitality-first space. The outcome is a venue that invites intuitive wayfinding, information sharing, and the warmth of gathering that is central to our DNA.”
As you move inside, every aspect of the thoughtful design is a nod to Calgary’s past and present. The feeling of gathering is immediately apparent as you’re welcomed by Canada’s largest fireplace, the oldest gathering place, rising 70 feet high and using modern water vapor technology to safely mimic flames.
Tall windows invite Calgary’s skyline and scenery in, while a handcrafted wooden ceiling evokes the patterns of Indigenous blankets, window panels recreate sunbeams filtering through a barn wall, and a central bar captures the curve of a lasso. Bringing it home, a life-sized recreation of the Stampede’s iconic ‘Neon Cowboy’ adds a nostalgic nod to our roots.
Every square foot of the BMO Centre is as functional as it is visually stunning.
With all of the added square footage, Populous minimized walking distances, making it easy and intuitive for guests to move and mingle through the building.
On the second floor, meeting spaces are organized into four distinct ‘neighbourhoods’ centred around the Exchange Bar—a spot for networking and catching up without leaving the venue.
Outdoors, there is now even more room for festivities and year-round gatherings. And we all know every inch will be utilized as Calgarians enjoy their own back yard, and people from around the world come to enjoy our city.
From conventions to meetings, the BMO Centre is built to accommodate it all with world-class design and capabilities. Not only will you find 350,000 sq. ft. of contiguous exhibit space, but you can host meetings with a skyline view, throw a gala in Calgary’s largest ballroom, or host a brand event with a backdrop that will leave a lasting impression.
Paulitsch drives this home: “We set out to capture the pioneering spirit of Calgarians–the grit and energy to do what hasn’t been done–while celebrating the Western hospitality the city is known for.”
With an estimated $700 million economic impact and more than 500 bookings already stretching into the next decade, the BMO Centre cements itself as a destination in the global meetings and conventions market, shaping Calgary’s future as much as it celebrates its past.
Want to chat about opportunities in this space? Drop us a line!
Photo Credit
Calgary Stampede
