I think Calgary will be extremely proud: Final development permit approved for new event centre – Calgary [Video]

The final development permit required for Scotia Place, Calgary’s new event centre, received unanimous approval from the city’s planning commission on Thursday.

The 8-0 vote followed hours of presentations from project officials, and technical questions around the detailed designs included in the project’s application.

Although digging, stripping and grading work is visible on the site of the future arena building, on the corner of 12 Avenue and Olympic Way S.E., the development permit approved Thursday would allow work to begin on the structure of Scotia Place itself.

“I think Calgary will be extremely proud,” said Bob Hunter, the city’s lead on the project. “Citizens of Calgary will think, you know what? This is actually a pretty good investment on our behalf.”

The $900 million building will have a 75-year lifespan, but is smaller than the Saddledome with 18,400 seats, but has capacity for 20,000 for concerts.

It also includes a …