Work has started on renovations to the newly-renamed Cowboys Park in downtown Calgary.

Fencing was up and shovels were in the ground at formerly known Millennium Park — the renovations are part of a naming sponshorship deal with Cowboys which wants the area for its outdoor concert series.

The city says phase one of work will transform the popular location into a “plug and play” festival space to host outdoor events year-round.

Alison Fifield, leader of the city’s Community Parks Initiative, says it’s the area’s first upgrade in nearly 30 years.

“It’s really going to support us in terms of Olympic Plaza coming offline, and having a hardened space that’s more accessible,” she says.

A concept map reveals much of the space will be paved over.

It’s still unclear who will be paying for what. Terms in the city’s 10-year contract with Penny Lane Entertainment have not been diclosed.

Calgary Bluesfest organizers say they were initially told they were being evicted from the park in December 2023 because of a new sponsor, but then were later told they could retain the park as the venue for the festival.

Bluesfest’s Cindy McLeod says she and her team are still looking for answers. She has said the city was not forthcoming on what was happening with the area after the 10-year naming and sponsorship deal with Cowboys was announced last year.

“I have suppliers, I have artists, we’ve been selling passes since last fall, and people are expecting to come to a park, not a parking lot,” she says.

The 2025 Calgary International Bluesfest is scheduled to run from July 31 to Aug. 3.

An online petition that has nearly met its goal of 1,000 signatures calls for stopping the demolition of the existing park.

Discussions on phase two construction are scheduled for later this month.