When travellers can expect Concourse B to reopen at Calgary airport

Chris Miles, right, chief operating officer of the Calgary International Airport, speaks to members of the media on a tour of a closed concourse after parts of the domestic terminal building suffered hail and rain damage, in Calgary Aug. 6, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

A year after a powerful hailstorm damaged the Calgary International Airport, officials say work to repair and renovate the battered building is still underway.

Concourse B was so badly damaged by the Aug. 5 thunderstorm that it had to be closed.

After surveying the destruction, the decision was made to not only repair the concourse – built in 1976 – but to renovate it as well.

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“It made sense to redevelop it with everything we know now about great design and great amenities,” said Calgary Airport Authority spokesperson Chris Miles. “That means designing for universal access, better sustainability and making it more open, more welcoming and filled with natural light.”

Among the changes are the removal of secure walkways and glassed-in sections left over from when Concourse B served as both a domestic and international terminal, which stopped in 2016.

Now, the area is only for domestic flights.

The renovation will allow for higher ceilings, roomier gate areas and unobstructed views of the Rocky Mountains.

Officials say it took seven months to remove water-damaged infrastructure.

Now, crews are replacing the roof.

“The work includes full replacement of approximately 60,000 square feet of roof, engineered with a resilient, sustainable design,” said a Tuesday news release.

Miles says plans for the interior are still being finalized.

“That means new (information technology), new security systems, new HVAC systems that will be long-term more sustainable and cost-effective,” said a news release.Concourse B is expected to begin a graduated opening in 2027.