Huge donation means major changes at Stampede Park

CALGARY- There are big changes on the way for the Calgary Stampede Foundation, thanks to its largest ever individual donation.

Local philanthropist Don Taylor gave $15 million to help build a new museum on the north end of Stampede Park.

The Sam Centre—named after his late father—will house the museum, Stampede School and the organization’s archives.

Taylor says he donated the money, to create a year-round experience for visitors.

“Calgary’s famous for the Stampede…well there’s nothing here but an empty parking lot,” he explained. “Now we are changing that, but let’s have some place where they can go and read and see about the history of southern Alberta.”

Construction is slated to start  in 2015.