Werklund Centre revamp project facing nearly $200M shortfall
CBC
The transformation of the Werklund Centre as part of an expanded cultural hub in downtown Calgary is nearly $200 million short of its funding goal, a city council committee heard Wednesday.
The project includes the construction of a new performing arts centre, an updated Olympic Plaza, and the modernization of the existing Werklund Centre, formally the Arts Commons Centre.
The expansion phase has begun, with work underway to build the new centre, a three-level building adjacent to Olympic Plaza.
That building will be 170,000 square feet and include two theatres, one with a 1,000-seat capacity and the other a 200-seat space.
Funding for the construction has been secured, at $290 million, Kelly Coles with the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation told the committee Wednesday.
The space is slated to open for the 2028/2029 theatre season.
The Olympic Plaza overhaul is also fully funded at $75 million, with work on that expected to begin this year, she said.
But funding is lagging for the second phase, which will see the modernization of the Werklund Centre. Coles said about $74.5 million of the target $270 million has been secured. The work is expected to take up to three years.
Those involved in the development process told council there are avenues being explored to fill that gap.
Alex Sarian, CEO of the Werklund Centre, said there are discussions with the federal government to match the $103 million the province has already committed. He said he is hopeful to have an answer in the coming months on whether funding will be provided.
On the municipal level, $63 million was pledged under the last administration that has still not been funded.
There is also a plan to step up solicitations from the private sector, Sarian said.
Donors already involved include the Werklund family, and the philanthropists Al Osten and Buddy Victor, for whom the larger of the two new theatre spaces is named for. Osten donated $12 million on behalf of himself and his late partner, Victor, before he died last Friday.
“And so to continue this legacy with the Osten-Victor Playhouse is particularly meaningful,” Sarian said.
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