Latest news with #StampedePark
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Calgary Stampede close to breaking attendance record as 2025 event wraps up
As the 2025 Calgary Stampede draws to a close, officials say this year's event was met with strong enthusiasm from Calgarians and near-record attendance, despite safety concerns that emerged during the 10-day Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. 'There has been an undeniable energy and excitement felt across Stampede Park and in all four corners of the city,' said Calgary Stampede president Stuart O'Connor. 'From pancake breakfasts to barbecues to mixers, receptions and everything in between, Stampede spirit in Calgary is in full swing.' More than 1.3 million people have visited Stampede Park so far this year, O'Connor said Sunday morning, with attendance totals close to rivaling 2023's record of about 1.48 million. Whether that record will be surpassed remains to be seen, said Stampede CEO Joel Cowley. 'We very well may and we very well may not (break the record),' said Cowley. 'It's that close to last year's attendance.' Calgary Stampede, in photos: Favourite moments from the rodeo and chuckwagons 96-year-old volunteer Jack Armstrong keeps Stampede spirit alive The 10-day affair kicked off with more than 340,000 Calgarians and visitors lining the streets of Calgary on July 4 for the Stampede parade, led by Canadian music icon Shania Twain. Opening day also saw a visit from Prime Minister Mark Carney at Stampede Park. The Stampede spirit extended well beyond Stampede Park with Calgarians and visitors heading to pancake breakfasts, festival-style tents and other Stampede events across the city. Live music acts at Stampede Park drew large crowds, raising concerns about safety and crowd control. On Sunday, Cowley said guest feedback pertaining to safety concerns at the Coke Stage will shape planning for next year's Stampede. 'Going into 2026, one of our focal points will be continuing to evolve the Coke Stage,' Cowley said. 'We want our guests there to be comfortable and feel safe and secure. 'We had two very large high-volume nights this last week and we know that some of our guests did not feel comfortable, so we will continue to evaluate that.' Cowley said the Calgary Stampede will 'continue to evolve' the Coke Stage presentation, potentially introducing additional crowd control measures and evaluating which artists are booked for the venues. The Stampede CEO acknowledged putting on the 10-day event is 'not without its challenges,' pointing to an assault that occurred Tuesday on park grounds. Three people were injured and taken to hospital, including two victims with stab wounds and one with lacerations. 'It sounds like they are all recovering,' Cowley said, adding a CPS investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made. 'This was a targeted altercation,' he added. 'That's incredibly disheartening for an event like ours that is supposed to be a celebration, that someone would come on grounds and look to do harm to others.' Cowley said Stampede security protocols are reviewed daily in collaboration with the Stampede's security team and Calgary police. The 2025 Stampede saw several attendance milestones. TC Energy Community Day drew more than 193,000 guests, the second-highest single-day total in Stampede history. BMO Kids Day set another attendance record, welcoming more than 161,000 visitors. Seventy-three per cent of visitors were from the Calgary area, on par with last year's numbers. 'We take pride in that,' Cowley said. 'This is a community celebration where Calgarians can come together and celebrate fellowship and share an experience.' Cowley said the remaining 27 per cent of attendees coming from outside Calgary represents a major boost to the local economy, pointing to increased hotel booking and visitor spending. 'That money is coming to Calgary, and it would not otherwise come to Calgary if it weren't for the Calgary Stampede.' He cited numbers from the Calgary Hotel Association showing occupancy increased by 2.4 per cent over 2024, with roughly 10,000 more people staying in hotels this year. The Stampede is set to wrap up Sunday night with a celebration of Indigenous culture at the Stampede Powwow at the Saddledome. According to early results from an internal visitor survey, the Rangeland Derby received the highest satisfaction rating of the Calgary Stampede's programming, with 80 per cent of respondents giving it a perfect score, Cowley said. Other popular attractions included the relay race, the Grandstand Show, the rodeo and the Dog Bowl. 'We're very proud of the offering that we put forth this year,' Cowley said. 'Our focus is truly on providing the greatest experience we can to everyone who steps on park. 'It is a decision to come to Stampede Park, and we want to make that decision as easy as possible.' Officials credited the success of the event to the efforts of more than 3,000 volunteers, roughly 1,000 year-round employees and more than 4,000 seasonal employees at the Calgary Stampede. 'The Calgary Stampede is a symbol of what community can achieve when we come together,' O'Connor said. 'Calgary showed up.'
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Danielle Smith touts Alberta supremacy at Rotary International Convention in Calgary
Premier Danielle Smith welcomed thousands of Rotary International delegates to Calgary on Sunday, using the stage to tout Alberta's economic strength, energy ambitions and approach to addiction recovery. More than 15,000 Rotary members from more than 120 countries are expected to gather in Calgary this week for the Rotary International Convention, a five-day event that runs through Wednesday at Stampede Park. Speaking at the official opening ceremony at the Scotiabank Saddledome, Smith — a former Rotarian herself — described Alberta as 'Canada's economic engine,' pointing to the province's population growth, economic climate and natural resource wealth. 'I want to take this opportunity to do just a little bit of bragging about this beautiful province,' she said. 'That is one of the perks of my job. I get to be the lead cheerleader for my favorite place in the world.' Peace pole, House of Friendship and more: What to know about the Rotary International Convention in Calgary Rotary convention kicks off at Stampede Park with House of Friendship grand opening Smith cited recent Statistics Canada data showing that Alberta led the country in population growth during the first quarter of 2025, gaining more new residents than the rest of Canada combined. Between Jan. 1 and April 1, Alberta's population grew by 20,562, while four provinces and one territory saw population declines, including record quarterly losses in Ontario and British Columbia. Alberta also had the highest net gain from interprovincial migration during that time. Smith attributed the growth to economic opportunity and a 'welcoming and free society,' drawing people to the province. 'Alberta has drawn in people from near and far for a few very good reasons,' she said. 'Investors see our low corporate taxes, our skilled workforce, and our business-friendly climate as an increasingly attractive package and our tech sector is growing as a result.' Smith also highlighted her government's efforts to expand mental health and addiction services, referring to the so-called 'Alberta recovery model.' 'Since 2019, our government has added around 10,000 addiction treatment spaces, including detox treatment and long-term recovery spaces,' she said. 'We recognize that we have a lot more work to do, but the Alberta recovery model is showing early signs of success, and we're very proud of what we have accomplished so far.' Much of her speech focused on promoting Alberta's energy sector. Smith praised the province's level of oil and gas production — currently averaging about four million barrels a day — and said the government intends to double that output. 'Over the years this industry has delivered extraordinary prosperity to our province and to the rest of Canada, and Alberta is proud to be one of the world's foremost producers of oil and natural gas, and we are proud of what that energy means for the world.' Smith also noted industry efforts to move toward a lower-carbon future, citing net-zero commitments and the province's leadership in carbon capture and hydrogen production. 'If, as we know, the world will need more oil and gas for decades to come, then our trading partners might as well buy it from a supplier that cares about human rights, a supplier that protects the environment and reduces emissions even as it increases production,' she said. While Rotary International is not a political organization, the international convention comes at a time of global geopolitical tension. Rotary International president Stephanie Urchick also addressed the audience, emphasizing the organization's mission to build unity across borders. 'The world right now can feel divided, but Rotary brings together people from every corner of the globe, not to erase our differences, but to celebrate them,' she said. 'That's how we spread peace, because peace is more than the absence of conflict, it's the presence of understanding.' Rotary International is a global service organization that boasts more than a million volunteer members focused on community and humanitarian efforts. The convention is expected to pump $81 million into Calgary's economy.
CBC
02-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Deal struck for new hotel with approximately 320 rooms at Calgary's Stampede Park
A new hotel with approximately 320 rooms is set to be built at Calgary's Stampede Park, the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) announced Monday. The city-owned CMLC the and Calgary Stampede say they've struck a partnership with local developer Truman to build the first full-service convention hotel in downtown Calgary in a quarter-century. Kate Thompson, president and CEO of CMLC, said the hotel development has been a "key priority" for years and will help meet growing demand for accommodations near the expanded BMO Centre and the city's evolving culture and entertainment district. "This hotel agreement and land sale/purchase represents a substantial private investment in Stampede Park, and demonstrates a significant confidence in the emerging culture and entertainment district," Thompson told reporters on Monday. The hotel, which has a development value of approximately $330 million, including the value of the land, is to be built on an 85,000-square-foot parcel near the expanded BMO Centre. Joel Cowley, CEO of the Calgary Stampede, told reporters that the Weadickville property, where the hotel will be built, is about 1.8 acres in size and was obtained by the Stampede through a trade with the City of Calgary as part of the deal to build a new arena and event centre that will replace the Saddledome. After receiving the city's approval, the Stampede was able to sell the land, Cowley said. "Truman will purchase the land, develop, own, and operate the hotel," he said. The plans include 15,000-square-feet of ballroom and meeting space, a rooftop lounge with city views, restaurants, a coffee shop, and wellness amenities such as an indoor pool, jacuzzi, and fitness club. Officials said Truman is working with an international hotel brand to operate the property, with details expected to be announced in the coming months. Tony Trutina, chief operating officer of Truman, said the company believes the new hotel will be built in an "exceptional location." "[It will allow] guests to just stay steps away from the action of the culture and entertainment district — whether it's a convention, meeting or event held in the BMO Centre, a hockey game in Scotia Place, a concert in The Big Four Roadhouse, or the Calgary Stampede's annual celebration of western heritage and community spirit each July," Trutina said in a written statement. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, and the hotel is scheduled to open in 2028.
