The Calgary Film Centre opened its doors on Thursday, bringing hope to Alberta’s oil-battered economy.
The facility, located at 5750 76 Avenue S.E., features three sound stages; one 20,000-square-feet, one 18,000-square-feet and one 12,000-square-feet.
WATCH: Calgary Film Centre time lapse
It’s estimated the film and television industry in southern Alberta added about $175 million to the province’s economy last year. The opening of the new Calgary Film Centre, which can facilitate productions indoors in a controlled climate, is expected to double that number.
READ MORE: New Calgary film studio hoped to help struggling Alberta economy
Alberta is no stranger to film and TV production. The province played host to feature films The Revenant starring Leonardo DiCaprio in 2015 and Interstellar starring Matthew McConaughey in 2013.
A TV series based on the film Fargo was also filmed in Alberta, as well as several seasons of Hell on Wheels.
READ MORE: Calgary to build sound stage to attract more film and TV production
The total cost to build the film centre was originally pegged at $22 million but later climbed to $28.2 million due to the weak Canadian dollar.
– With files from David Boushy and Doug Vaessen
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