The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland is proposing to add a a outdoor theatre for 16,000 spectators, an NHL-sized open-air hockey rink and a pow wow venue, as part of its concept plan for a major future renovation.
It is part of a 20-year strategy to revitalize the green space, which already serves as host to music festivals and events like skijoring.
The goal is to bring more events to the city’s downtown east end, while honouring the site’s history.
The Confluence sits at the intersection of the Bow and Elbow Rivers. It was historically an Indigenous gathering site, before the North-West Mounted Police set up shop in 1875, constructing what became known as Fort Calgary.
“The significance of this site was at the centre of every discussion, every conversation, all of our engagement sessions, and really the design,” said Confluence president Jennifer Thompson.
It was renamed as the Confluence Historic Site & Parkland in 2024, some renovations began that same year.
(The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland)
While smaller upgrades have already been budgeted for, there is no price tag at this point for turning the full vision into a reality.
Thompson says the next step will be a feasibility study, and talks have already begun with the federal government to get funding.
If the funding comes through, Thompson says it would likely be about 10 to 15 years before the large structures, like the rink and the theatre, are built.
The concept design for the site includes new pathways and gardens. A plaza on the west side would host a chilled outdoor hockey rink.
During the summer months, the rink could be used for other sports like basketball or roller-skating, or for markets.
The new amphitheatre would have a covered stage and seating for 3,000 people, and room for another 13,000 spectators on the lawn. That’s on par with the capacity of the newly renamed RBC Amphitheatre in downtown Toronto.
(The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland)
A consulting firm sought out community engagement as part of the design process, including with Indigenous peoples. There, they heard support what’s known as pow wow arbour as a space to come together and dance.
“But also, one thing we heard from non-Indigenous people was there needed to be more recognition of the Indigenous history of this site in a bigger, bolder way,” Thompson said.
The Confluence will also be home to the permanent location for the residential school memorial.
O2 Planning and Design put together the concept plan. Principal architect Matt Williams said the team knew from the beginning this would be a challenging project.
“But to get to this point with the confidence that we have and the end result … it’s amazing, it really is,” he said.
(The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland)