Universal Accessibility

Universal accessibility – a barrier-free event centre

A barrier-free event centre

Accessibility for all is at the heart of Scotia Place. It allows people of all abilities and life experiences to come together for a truly inviting, diverse and comfortable experience.

No stairs required

One of the most important design decisions for Scotia Place was lowering the event surface 35 feet below ground. This means guests enter the building from the outdoor plaza space directly to the main concourse at ground level – stairs not required.

The ground level concourse is a walkway and amenity space that surrounds the event space and ice surface. Here guests will enjoy restaurants, entertainment and a variety of food services. Accessible washrooms are available on all levels of the building and the concourse provides access to lower bowl seating and the indoor public plaza. 

slice cut of the Scotia Placde and a red line indicating the concourse is at ground level

Scotia Place

Scotia Place’s primary concourse is barrier-free from the ground level.

slice cut of the Saddledome and a red line indicating the concourse is at ground level

Scotiabank Saddledome

The Scotiabank Saddledome requires stairs and elevators to access the primary concourse.

Accessibility design features

  • Barrier-free access

    Easy access in and out

    The outdoor plazas and the ground level concourse offer barrier-free access to the building. Scotia Place is one of the few event centres in North America where all entrances are barrier-free.

  • Accessible drop-off

    A dedicated drop-off space

    There are drop-off and pick-up spaces located along 12 Avenue S.E. and 5A Street S.E. These areas provides safe, direct and easy access in and out of the building.

  • Outdoor plazas

    Gathering space for all

    Calgarians and visitors will enjoy open plazas on the north, south and east sides of the building. They are designed to provide visitors barrier-free access and help them move around the outside amenities.

  • Accessibility seating

    Great seats for all

    For persons with mobility disabilities, accessible seating options will be available throughout and include companion seats.

  • Wayfinding

    A clear path forward

    Visible, tactile, and vibrant signs will be placed inside and outside to help visitors find their way to parking, entrances, ramps, elevators, travel paths and washrooms. Amenities and facilities will be clearly identified for all.

  • Accessible path of travel

    Barrier-free movement

    All levels of Scotia Place will be accessible, with ramps and elevators conveniently located throughout to support all mobility needs.

  • Maps

    Highlighting the way

    Tactile and audio map systems will be used along exterior paths of travel, sidewalks and within building lobbies to support visitors.

  • Adaptive listening systems

    Everyone can participate

    Visitor service kiosks located throughout Scotia Place will offer information, assistive listening, and visual impairment programs to support a positive experience for all. All event screens, television and video replay systems will also provide descriptive text and/or closed captioning.

  • Sensory rooms

    A quiet space

    Scotia Place will have quiet respite spaces designed to reduce anxiety, stress or sensory overload. These spaces provide a calming restorative space during large events that can be noisy and over stimulating.

  • Washrooms

    Inclusive options and design

    Different washroom facilities will be available throughout the building, including multi-stall, enhanced universal washrooms with adult-size change tables, and gender-neutral/non-binary washroom enclosures.

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Above and beyond the building code

As a City-owned facility, there is a commitment to universal accessibility. This venue is designed as a highly accessible and equitable facility. The design goal is to go beyond the building code, which is considered a minimum standard for the Project. To do so, the design of the Scotia Place event centre will follow: 

 

a cross section of the archetecture of the event centre

Scotia Place is designed to allow street-level access to the ground floor concourse. The concourse allows people access to the restaurants, retail and the community plazas whether a visitor is coming from the outdoor plaza or the indoor concourse spaces.

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Land Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge that we are on the ancestral and traditional territory of the Blackfoot Confederacy, made up of the Siksika, Piikani, Amskaapipiikani and Kainai First Nations; the Îethka Nakoda Wîcastabi First Nations, comprised of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations; and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Nation Battle River Territory, Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6. We acknowledge all Indigenous people who have made Calgary their home.

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