CALGARY EVENT CENTRE: PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT RESULTS JULY 2020 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 5.2.1 RESULTS OF ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS 26 2. PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES 4 5.3 MINDSET: BUSINESS OR PLEASURE 27 3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS 5 5.3.1 OPPORTUNITIES & CONSIDERATIONS 31 3.1 CITY-WIDE ENGAGEMENTS 5 5.4 INSIDE THE EVENT CENTRE – FEATURES 32 3.2 STAKEHOLDER & PARTNER ENGAGEMENT 7 5.4.1 RESULTS OF ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS 34 4. PUBLIC SURVEY PROCESS 8 5.5 INSIDE THE EVENT CENTRE - PROGRAMMING 35 4.1 METHODOLOGY 8 5.5.1 RESULTS OF ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS 37 4.2 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN 9 5.6 OUTSIDE THE EVENT CENTRE - PROGRAMMING 38 4.3 SURVEY RESPONDENTS 12 5.6.1 RESULTS OF ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS 42 5. SUMMARY OF PUBLIC FEEDBACK 14 5.7 OUTSIDE THE EVENT CENTRE – BUILT ENVIRONMENT 43 5.1 DETAILED FINDINGS & INSIGHTS 16 5.7.1 RESULTS OF ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS 45 5.1.1 RESULTS OF ROUNDTABLE SESSIONS 22 APPENDIX – PUBLIC SURVEY 46 5.2 LEARNINGS FROM PAST SITE USAGE 23 2 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) was appointed by The City From respondents’ feedback, three dominant themes emerged: of Calgary and Calgary Sport and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC) as development manager for the new Calgary Event Centre. One of PRIDE – Many see the Event Centre as an opportunity to revitalize east CMLC’s first responsibilities in this role was to solicit public feedback Victoria Park and the surrounding neighbourhoods, catalyze growth, on the new facility from the citizens of Calgary. and give Calgary a world-class facility befitting the city’s global stature. VARIETY – By and large, people want the space to offer variety, excitement The Event Centre Engagement Strategy—approved by the multiparty and opportunities to consistently attract locals and tourists to Calgary and Event Centre Assessment Committee in September 2019—sets out a phased, east Victoria Park year-round…on top of the more obvious benefits of being city-wide approach for gathering public opinion and insights on the new facility. able to host major concerts and sporting events. The strategy included an online survey, roundtable discussions with project and community stakeholders, and in-person engagement events in each of Calgary’s CONNECTION – The Event Centre is an opportunity for Calgarians to 14 municipal wards. connect with each other, with friends and family, with business associates, and with the community at large. Between January 29 and March 27, 2020, we solicited feedback from thousands of community stakeholders on the design of the facility and the public programming it will deliver. In this time, we directly reached 1,977 community members at 23 in-person engagement events, collected 14,549 online surveys and chaired five roundtable discussions with representatives from 22 community organizations. The public survey probed respondents about what the Event Centre will mean to them and sought to identify features and programming inside and outside the facility that will appeal to the broader community. The roundtable sessions accommodated more in-depth discussions on these same topics. 3 2. PURPOSE & OBJECTIVES This document shares the findings collected through the Event Centre Public • Provide citizens across the city with opportunities to participate in the Engagement Strategy. This report will help guide the planning and development consultation process though in-person and online engagement channels. of the Event Centre and will help ensure its thoughtful integration into the city’s Culture & Entertainment District. • Define the product development needs of the future Event Centre in terms of architectural principles, public amenities, programming, retail These findings reveal the aspirations of Calgarians and our community and and other commercial space. project stakeholders, gathered over nearly two months of public engagement. Align with the guiding principles of the City of Calgary’s Engage policy KEY OBJECTIVES DIALOGUE - Purposeful dialogue between The City and stakeholders Develop a framework for the project’s success to gather information to influence decision-making. • Plan and execute a program that gathers public feedback to guide the successful delivery of the project on behalf of all partners. ACCOUNTABILITY - The City upholds the commitments it makes to citizens and stakeholders and demonstrates that results and outcomes of the • Review and analyze engagement findings and report to project partners engagement processes are consistent with the approved plans for engagement. on ‘what we heard’. INCLUSIVENESS - The City makes its best efforts to reach, involve and hear • Leverage public feedback to inform the facility’s design, development from those who are impacted directly or indirectly. and integration into the district. • Develop a framework to identify programming opportunities to activate TRANSPARENCY - The City provides clear, timely and complete information the facility, sustain public participation and help shape the delivery of and endeavours to ensure decision processes, procedures, and constraints ongoing placemaking programs. are understood and followed. Successfully engage with Calgarians COMMITMENT - The City, within its ability and work plans, allocates • Create a neutral project environment with a transparent approach to help sufficient resources for effective engagement. ensure all stakeholders, including partner stakeholders and organizations, receive the best possible recommendations and advice. RESPONSIVENESS - The City of Calgary endeavours to understand citizen • Create several methods of input and collaboration with stakeholders from and stakeholder concerns. all interested groups (e.g. tourism, arts and culture, City of Calgary, community residents, CSEC and Calgary Stampede) to solicit broad and diverse views and ideas. 4 1. 3. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS 2. CMLC used direct, face-to-face interactions to provide Calgarians with details of the project and to hear their feedback. This involved event activations in every city ward, as well as a series of roundtable discussions with stakeholders and partners. 3.1 CITY-WIDE ENGAGEMENTS 3. CMLC facilitated 23 engagement sessions between January 29 and March 1, 2020 in each of Calgary’s 14 municipal wards. During these sessions, we shared information about the Event Centre and talked with Calgarians about what the Event Centre means to them. A total of 1,977 people attended these sessions, sharing with CMLC their ideas and concerns about the Event Centre. Participants were also invited to complete a survey, either digitally or on paper. 1. Ward activation session, with digital kiosks. 2. Ward activation session with CMLC engagement team. 5 3. Ward activation session, with digital kiosks. Calgary municipal ward activation sessions: WARD LOCATION DATE IN 2020 Ward 7 St. Louis Hotel - Best of Calgary January 15 Ward 2 Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot February 1 Ward 11 Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Flames vs. San Jose Sharks February 4 Ward 7 Central Library February 6 Ward 11 Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Hitmen vs. Prince Albert Raiders February 7 Ward 8 C-Space February 8 Ward 11 Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Roughnecks vs. New York Riptide February 8 Ward 3 Vivo Centre February 9 Ward 1 Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge February 9 Ward 7 SAIT, Irene Lewis atrium February 11 Ward 5 Saddletowne YMCA inside the Genesis Centre February 12 Ward 11 Scotiabank Saddledome - Old Dominion Concert February 14 Ward 11 Beltline Neighborhood Association February 15 Ward 11 Scotiabank Saddledome February 17 Ward 8 Bankers Hall February 19 Ward 6 Canada Olympic Park Winsport February 22 Ward 1 Bowness Park skating area February 22 Ward 9 East Calgary Twin Arenas - Erin Woods February 23 Ward 10 Village Square Leisure Centre February 23 Ward 12 Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton February 29 Ward 13 Cardel Recreation Centre February 29 Ward 4 Thornhill Aquatic & Rec Centre March 1 Ward 14 Trico Centre for Family Wellness March 1 6 3.2 STAKEHOLDER & PARTNER ENGAGEMENT CMLC hosted roundtable meetings with civic and project partners (January 31), community organizations (February 5), and local residents and landowners (February 25) and facilitated these meetings using an ‘appreciative inquiry’ methodology that encourages open dialogue and mutual disclosure of ideas, objectives and concerns. Due to COVID-19, CMLC postponed two planned ‘World Café’ engagement sessions and hosted them later as virtual sessions on May 13 and 14. Representatives from the following organizations attended: • 17th Avenue Business Improvement Association • Erlton Community Association • Arriva Commercial Board • Ramsay Neighbourhood Association • Arriva Condo Board • Tourism Calgary • Beltline Neighbourhood Association • Victoria Park Business Improvement Association • Calgary Arts Development • Hockey Calgary • Calgary Downtown Association • Calgary Public Library • Calgary Economic Development • Karen Ball & Associates • Calgary Police Service • Platform Innovation Centre • Calgary Stampede • Calgary Booster Club • East Village Neighbourhood Association • Big Art • East Victoria Park landowners • Studio Bell, Home of the National Music Centre 7 4. PUBLIC SURVEY PROCESS CMLC created a survey to allow Calgarians to share their expectations and aspirations for the Event Centre. 4.1 METHODOLOGY The public online survey was open from January 29 to March 27, 2020. Most respondents used the online version, although some chose to use a printed version that CMLC also made available. Survey Goals 1. LISTEN 3. UNDERSTAND