The City of Calgary has unveiled new plans for Cowboys Park, a little over a week after uncertainty over proposed plans and the impact on other events.
Work will begin on Phase 1 of improvements, the City of Calgary said in a Tuesday morning media release, with stormwater, sanitary and potable water upgrades, electrical infrastructure and two hard surfaces. The latter is outlined in the sponsorship agreement with Penny Lane Entertainment, owner of Cowboys.
The City said that utility upgrades will allow for quicker set up, tear down, and clean up, and the harder surface is better for mobility and allows for other events like farmers markets and hard surface sports.
“With the Olympic Plaza Transformation underway, this work will make Cowboys Park a versatile space for Calgarians to use and enjoy, and will replenish our portfolio of accessible, flexible event spaces downtown,” said Kyle Ripley, Director, Parks & Open Spaces, in a prepared media release.
Previously, the organizer of the Calgary Blues Fest said that the fact designs and upgrades hadn’t been nailed down, left her event in limbo.
“It’s really, really, really hard to determine what I can even do. I’ve been losing sleep over this. Every night, I’m lying there trying to imagine, ‘Oh my God, where am I going to put this? Where am I going to put that?” Cindy McLeod told LiveWire Calgary.
“We’ve been tweaking that site for 14 years.”
These initial improvements, cost not disclosed, will be paid for through the sponsorship agreement. The City of Calgary isn’t clear on which party in that agreement is responsible for paying the cost of the upgrades.
“Calgarians will still be able to enjoy the skate park, beach volleyball, and dynamic downtown location of the park. Once these upgrades are complete, we are looking forward to seeing this year-round outdoor event space revitalize the west end of Calgary’s downtown,” said Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong.
Outside city council chambers on Tuesday, Coun. Wong said that there are parks life cycle maintenance funds and utility funds that will help pay for the project. The City of Calgary is the project manager, and therefore they’re responsible for the cost, with the sponsorship agreement helping cover “a significant portion” of it, Wong said.
“The project itself is certainly in the millions of dollars, as to what the division is in terms of the Sponsorship Agreement, I’ve been told it will recover a substantial portion of that,” he said.
“The precise amount I don’t have.”
Phase 2 consultation is coming up
The City of Calgary signed a 10-year sponsorship agreement with Penny Lane Entertainment last summer. Penny Lane will be moving their annual Stampede Cowboys Tent to the area.
“An evolution came about, where to find a good home for cowboys that might be more conducive to having more of a festival-size atmosphere,” said Paul Vickers, owner and founder of Cowboys and Penny Lane, during a media event last July.
The work is expected to be complete in time for this year’s Cowboys tent during the Calgary Stampede.
The City said that planning is underway for Phase 2, which will iron out future park upgrades.
There will be an online engagement portal set up for feedback through March.
“We are committed to providing a clean, functional, and safe space to everyone who has booked events in the park this year. Event liaisons from Festivals & Events are working directly with organizers to provide support,” read the City of Calgary release.
The City said that areas of the park where construction crews are working will be closed. However, walking and cycling access will continue through the park.
More information will be made available through the Cowboys Park webpage.
