Expanded BMO Centre scheduled to welcome visitors in time for Stampede next year

The expanded BMO Centre is on track to open its doors to visitors for the Calgary Stampede in 2024.

"You can't miss the BMO Centre expansion when you visit the Culture + Entertainment District it has progressed so significantly since this time last year, when only a portion of the structural steel was installed," said Kate Thompson, president and CEO of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), in a new release.

"We can now clearly see the impact this incredible building will have to Calgary's skyline and to our city's reputation as a convention destination."

The media was invited totour the facility Thursday as the expansion enters the final year of construction.

The565,000-square-foot expansion will include 38 additional meeting rooms, more gathering areas and two new ballrooms at the BMO Centre, making it the biggest convention centre in Western Canada.

"The scale of the building makes this a unique construction site for the project team, and there's an incredible amount of work happening here every day," Thompson said.

Around 600 workers are working on the ambitious construction project, according to the release.

New centre to host up to 33,000 visitors

"The expansion of the BMO Centre gives Calgary a greater way to gather and will dramatically improve the Calgary Stampede's hosting capacity and Calgary's competitive position," said Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede.

"At completion, the building including the existing BMO Centre facilities has the ability to host an impressive 33,000 guests at one time."

Cowley said there's already been "great interest from the meeting and conventions industry" and companies are keen to book the space.

"We are hard at work preparing to welcome the world and our community to our new facility just one short year from now," Cowley added.

The BMO Centre expansion is estimated to cost $500 million.

It's being funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta and the City of Calgary.

With files from Scott Dippel and Mike Symington