The National Music Centre is a 110,000 sq. ft. facility to be built on and around the King Edward Hotel, a vital repository of musical memory in East Village. The NMC will “give Canada a place that amplifies the love, the sharing and the understanding of music through collections, programs, performance and collaboration,” according to President and CEO Andrew Mosker. The permit review process could take anywhere from three to 12 months.

Combined with the City of Calgary’s $25 million commitment earlier this year, the grants mean that NMC is now officially on its way to realization as it continues to seek private donations to complete the vision.

Just over two years ago, CMLC initiated a national campaign for new ideas to celebrate the colourful history of the King Eddy and rejuvenate the hotel. While that search uncovered some unique ideas, none fit the vision of East Village quite as well as the National Music Centre that Cantos envisioned.