Home / Arts and Entertainment / Calgary Planetarium Gets $40M Federal Boost for Art Makeover
Calgary Planetarium Gets $40M Federal Boost for Art Makeover
5 Jul
Summary
- Federal government invests $40 million in Contemporary Calgary's project.
- Renovations will transform the planetarium into a public art gallery.
- Project completion is scheduled for 2030 with a new LED Art Dome.
The federal government has committed $40 million to Contemporary Calgary's extensive redevelopment of the Centennial Planetarium into a public art gallery. Announced recently, this funding stems from Ottawa's Build Communities Strong Fund, supporting the project's final phase.
This revitalization aims to create a globally significant destination for contemporary art. The federal funding complements a $40 million investment from the provincial government last year. The total project cost is estimated at $190 million, with remaining funds sought from community and private donors.
The final phase, costing $160 million, will introduce a new entrance pavilion, a three-floor education and gallery wing, expanded event spaces, and a public art park. A key feature will be the transformation of the planetarium dome into an LED Art Dome.
Upgrades also focus on sustainability, incorporating geothermal energy and high-performance building systems to reduce total energy consumption by 41 percent. Renovations are slated to begin in the fall of 2027, with an anticipated completion by 2030.
Originally built in 1967, the planetarium housed the science centre until 2011. Contemporary Calgary secured a 25-year lease in 2019, following earlier negotiations and city investments in modernizing the building. The project emphasizes heritage preservation and adaptive reuse.
