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.
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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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