Victoria Park/Stampede LRT station overhaul marks completion

There was a grand opening celebration Thursday for the newly rebuilt Stampede LRT station and to mark the completion of the eastward extension of 17th Avenue into the Stampede grounds.

The new ground-level station and roadway reconfiguration creates a gateway into Stampede Park from the west for the first time in 40 years, says a release from the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), which led the project on behalf of the city and the Calgary Stampede.

"The completion of the 17th Avenue S.E. extension and the rebuild of Victoria Park/Stampede station are transformative milestones for the Culture + Entertainment District. For the first time in four decades, we've reconnected Stampede Park to the Beltline neighbourhoods, unlocking new growth opportunities for the area," said CMLC president Kate Thompson.

The new stretch of 17th Avenue inside the park is called Flores LaDue Parade, in honour of the iconic Calgary Stampede trick roper, entrepreneur and key figure in the founding of the Stampede in 1912.

"This new roadway and LRT station will elevate our guests' sense of arrival, whether they're attending a convention at the BMO Centre, an event at GMC Stadium, or visiting for a hockey game," he said.

Work started on the $128-million project in 2021. The new station has been operational since December 2023.

The previous elevated LRT station was brought down to street level, giving the revamped platform north, southand Macleod Trail entry points, enhanced pedestrian safety and clearer sightlines, CMLC said.

"This upgrade was essential to address the limitations of the original station, which created significant physical and visual barriers," said Doug Morgan, general manager of operational services for the City of Calgary.