Funding towards the redevelopment of Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza was given a significant boost on March 22, as the Government of Alberta pledged $103 million over seven years towards the combined downtown revitalization plan.

The funding, $8 million for the first three years, and $95 million for the remaining four, is set to match the construction phases for the redevelopment.

Alex Sarian, CEO of Arts Commons, said that the overall $420 million raised for the projects—including $270 million of municipal funding, consisting of $80 million from the City of Calgary’s Greater Downtown Plan, $25 million from the City’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative, and $165 million from CMLC’s Community Revitalization Levy (CRL)—would allow them to breeze through phase one of construction.

“Our ask of the province was staggered alongside the cash flow that we know we have, and we’re working with our friends at CMLC and the [City of Calgary]. So we had a very specific ,surgical way of approaching construction cash flow,” Sarian said.

“What you’ll see in the seven year allotment from the Province of Alberta is actually a very slow ramp up. If you look at the announcements from a few weeks ago, years, one, two and three add up to eight million. That’s not because we don’t need to spend money, but it’s because we are fortunate enough to have support already.”

Sarian said that Arts Commons was also engaging with private donors as part of the total $660 million fundraising campaign.

“The Arts Commons transformation project, which includes the creation of new facilities, the modernization of this complex, and as of June of last year, incorporation of a reimagined Olympic Plaza is the single largest cultural infrastructure project this country has ever seen,” he said.

“When completed, this indoor-outdoor campus won’t just welcome over 1 million people a year to our city’s downtown core. It will be the physical manifestation of our commitment to making cultural experiences an essential aspect of life in Calgary and Alberta.”

Arts Commons to become an even bigger commons for the arts

He said that when completed, the new space would provide economy of scale for artistic companies and new opportunities for events that have been otherwise unable to use Arts Commons spaces.

“We will also double down on our promise to Albertans by becoming a central destination in downtown Calgary where all are welcome and can experience firsthand what it means to build community through the arts,” he said.

Sarian also said that the redevelopment would allow Arts Commons to operate on a social enterprise model, ensuring stability for arts funding going forwards without the requirement of government funding.

“In fact, an expanded Arts Commons campus will see a decrease in operational dependency on government funding year over year, and that is a huge accomplishment,” he said.

Groundbreaking on the project is expected to occur this year, with a design reveal for Olympic Plaza this spring.

“The way we are staggering those projects are new construction first, and you’ll hear more about it in the next month, followed by Olympic Plaza, followed by the renovation. Our goal is to be able to complete the new construction by our 2028-29 season,” said Sarian.

Thousands of jobs expected, and big boost to GDP projected from redvelopment

Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Status of Women Tanya Fir said the investment into Arts Commons to create 3,500 full time construction jobs, and ad $424 million in GDP to the provincial economy.

“This is incredibly meaningful to the people of Calgary and Alberta as a whole, because although Arts Commons is located here in Calgary, it’s for all Albertans.”

Minister Fir said the investment was made in conjunction with other provincial investments into the arts, including funding for modernization of the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, and an increase in operation funding for the Alberta Foundation of the Arts by nearly $40 million by 2026.

“This will bring Alberta’s per capita or its funding closer to the national average,” she said.

The announcement was welcomed by the Calgary Construction Association (CCA), which said that both the creation of construction industry jobs in addition to the enhancement of Calgary’s recreational and cultural spaces was good news for the city.

“As an Association dedicated to advancing excellence in construction, we recognize the importance of robust public spaces and cultural amenities in fostering vibrant communities,” said Bill Black, CEO of the CCA.

“The revitalization of Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza promises to enrich the cultural fabric of our Calgary, providing residents and visitors alike with enhanced facilities for artistic expression, performance, and recreation.”

The association said that the funding was a mirror of the association’s own goal of fostering inclusive urban spaces for Calgarians.

Provincial funding comfort to city council

Arts Commons is in the middle of Coun. Terry Wong’s Ward 7, and he said the provincial funding was an additional layer of comfort for the three quarters of a billion dollar project.

“This is allows us to get two thirds of funding in place before the put shovels in the ground, and that allows us to do cash management and project a lot more comfortably,” he said.

“But more importantly, what it provides for Calgarians is the future of what arts and arts and culture is all about for Calgary. This is something that’s been building towards for the last 30 or 40 years.”

Coun. Wong said that a lot of praise needed to be given to Sarian for securing the provincial funding, and for being an excellent supporter of arts and culture in the city.

“Alex has been the strongest promoter of arts and culture since he’s arrived in the city. He’s well renowned and recognized across North America, and the fact that he’s been able to go up to the province and get 100 per cent of what he’s asked for is just a credit to Alex.”

Sarian himself praised the province, the City of Calgary, and CMLC for getting to this stage of the redevelopment project.

“I sleep soundly or a little more soundly at night knowing that a city building project of this scale could only be completed alongside partners with a track with track records such [CMLC’s], The City of Calgary, Mayor Gondek, and members of council,” he said.

“Your support to the arts and Arts Commons is humbling and beyond compare. To the Government of Alberta and Premier Smith, Minister Fir, members of Treasury Board, thank you for challenging us to dream big on behalf of the people of Alberta back in 2010. Thank you for recognizing and rewarding the quality of thought that this community has spent years developing with this unprecedented investment.”