Millennium Park renamed Cowboys Park after sponsorship deal with bar owner

Millennium Park, just west of the Calgary downtown core, has been renamed Cowboys Park after a 10-year naming and sponsorship deal with the owner of the iconic Cowboys Dance Hall and Cowboys Music Festival.

"We look forward to contributing to the revitalization of Calgary's downtown core by programming unique and exciting events and festivals this city has never seen," Paul Vickers said in a Friday release.

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"We will help drive the economy, create more vibrancy downtown and bolster tourism to the city and province, all year round."

The long-running Cowboys Music Festival will relocate to the park starting next year.

The mayor of Calgary says the agreement will secure the space for many users.

"The evolution to Cowboys Park and the planned infrastructure improvements will ensure that this space remains a dynamic and accessible destination," Jyoti Gondek said.

The park, at 1220 Ninth Ave. S.W., covers about seven hectares, with 75,000 square feet of skateable surface, making it one of North America's largest skate parks.

The existing infrastructure, including a stage and amphitheatre, waterfall, clock tower, courts for basketball and volleyball, and laser lights, will be upgraded starting in 2025.

The amount of the sponsorship is confidential, a communications person with the city told CBC News.