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Construction has begun on the “jewel in the crown” of the Stampede Youth Campus, as construction is about to begin on the SAM Center.
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Calgary Stampede officials were joined by Premier Jason Kenney and Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois Phillipe Champagne, as well as major donor Don Taylor, to ceremoniously open the MAR Center. The center will be an interactive space to share the history of the Calgary Stampede throughout the year while the grounds are empty.
Steve McDonough, president and chairman of the Calgary Stampede board, said the center will tell the story of the Stampede over 100 years and the history of Western culture in the Calgary area.
“SAM Center is what we hope will be the crown jewel on this campus under these beautiful blue skies, located along the Elbow River,” said McDonough. “SAM Center will be an innovative project that will share the Stampede story throughout the year and help us connect with the community to help us celebrate.”
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Calgary Stampede CEO Joel Cowley said many visitors come to the grounds outside of July, when the Stampede grounds are essentially an empty parking lot, looking to see the space and take pictures. He said that once the SAM Center opens, it will provide visitors with a year-round stampede experience.
“We have a lot of visitors that come here outside of July and a lot of them will make their way into Stampede Park and take a picture with the shores of the bow sculpture, which is a fantastic sculpture, but that’s not a stampede experience. Cowley said.
He said the center, which will be located at 12 Avenue SE north of the Saddledome, is expected to open in the latter months of 2023.
Local philanthropist Don Taylor announced a $15 million donation to the center in 2013. At the time, the center was expected to open in 2016 before suffering several delays. Crowley said the Calgary Stampede needed to make sure it had all the money it needed for the center before construction began. He also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays.
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“I will tell you that the Calgary Stampede Foundation is very cautious in how they approach a construction project and they don’t start a project until they have all the funds available,” Crowley said.
Taylor said Friday that he himself had a long history with the Calgary Stampede, where he peeled potatoes at his father’s hot dog stand on the grounds. He said he felt it was the right thing to do to help build the SAM center, which will be named after his father, to help tell the story of the stampede.
“I am very happy that this project is finally getting off the ground. I’m sure it’s going to be a great centerpiece,” said Taylor.
The province contributes $5 million to the project, while the federal government contributes $4.5 million. Several local foundations and businesses are also providing funds.
