New spaces now loading #HereAtSAIT
SAIT Downtown exterior
SAIT facilities are world-class — from integrated solar and rainwater harvesting labs to a working power plant to a fully outfitted dental clinic and an optical lab.
Did you know? We’re not only building something big to support student life right here on campus, SAIT is also expanding to bring even more learning to life downtown and moving into a mega research lab supporting energy innovation.
Learn more about three new spaces now loading #HereAtSAIT and look ahead to see how SAIT is building bold futures — literally!
Breaking down what makes up the Taylor Family Campus Centre
What’s four floors, 272,000 square feet and has an event space with a standing capacity of 1,400? SAIT’s new Taylor Family Campus Centre, opening late 2027.
If you’re on or around campus, you may have noticed the second floor is now under construction in our newest building.
Aerial view of the Taylor Family Campus Centre construction site, Aug. 19, 2025, courtesy of Bird Construction Inc.
What’s inside?
Big things begin in the basement: home to a triple gym and arena, varsity team rooms, athletic therapy area, teaching space for the School of Health and Public Safety and lots more.
On level 1, you’ll find SAIT’s new Welcome Centre, a running/walking track, fitness studios, spectator bleachers, and places for pints, juice and java.
See you on the second floor for mental health promotion spaces, health clinic spaces and bookable meeting rooms.
To top things off, head to level 3 for the conference and event centre — and maybe your new favourite view of both downtown and Heritage Hall.
There are gathering and collaborative work and study spaces throughout, a +15 pedway to the CTrain and lots of details still to come.
⬇️ Start to get a feel for what’s inside and where with this interior rendering fly-through.
What’s this building all about?
The design program for the new building centres on student-focused spaces supporting health and well-being, campus athletics and recreation, and campus life, as well as teaching and learning.
“The needs and expectations of our students continue to evolve and change,” says Dr. David Ross, SAIT President and CEO. “Our vision for the new Taylor Family Campus Centre is to offer a dynamic on-campus environment all about enhancing the student experience through a whole-person approach to wellness.”
🏗️ Visit the project page for news, construction updates, progress photos/video and more renderings.
Learning made real in the heart of downtown Calgary
The School of Hospitality and Tourism has been onsite at the corner of 444 7 Ave. SW since the opening of The Tastemarket by SAIT almost eight years ago.
Earlier this year, SAIT extended its footprint in the Barclay Centre, adding teaching, learning and networking space for the School for Advanced Digital Technology to the menu.
Known collectively as SAIT Downtown, this 24,000+ square foot facility brings the classroom to the community in the centre of Calgary.
School for Advanced Digital Technology capstone classroom inside SAIT Downtown
What’s inside? School for Advanced Digital Technology
The new School for Advanced Digital Technology side of SAIT Downtown welcomed its first learners in January. About 120 third- and fourth-semester Information Systems Security students were onsite full-time over the Winter and Spring 2025 semesters and will be again this fall.
Housed over two floors, the space was designed with industry-driven training front of mind and features a street-level classroom, collaboration spaces, soundproof booths, day use lockers, offices and a capstone classroom for 80 that can also convert into two classrooms, plus a kitchen area to support industry events.
📣Did you know? A $30-million donation from Calgary philanthropist David Bissett helped establish the School for Advanced Digital Technology in 2020.
What’s this space all about?
Cybersecurity! One of the most anticipated facilities scheduled to open this fall at SAIT Downtown is a state-of-the-art cyber range. An immersive environment for learners and industry alike, the range features a Command Centre capable of simulating a variety of cyberattack scenarios.
“This is the perfect location for cybersecurity training,” says Carla Marioni, academic chair, cyber security. “Industry is right here — their offices are downtown, and they have their events downtown as well. There are lots of great networking opportunities for our students during a break, during lunch or after class. It’s easy for industry to come to us too.”
🔐Want to know more about SAIT’s Cyber Range? Stay tuned, you’ll hear all about it when it opens this fall.
Design rendering of the Command Centre
The Tastemarket Canadian Kitchen exterior
What’s inside? The Tastemarket Canadian Kitchen
Inside this unique living classroom on the other side of SAIT Downtown an average of 60 hospitality students, chef instructors and staff work to create, serve and sell made-to-order dishes inspired by Canadian culture to about 250 customers each day. Hours and menu
Students from the Culinary Arts program take several courses on site, including Exploration of Canadian Cuisine, Nutrition and Dietary Needs, and Community Events and Guest Service.
Hungry? There’s a wood-stone oven firing scratch made pizzas, a variety of mains, grab and go sandwiches and baked goods. The space seats 120 guests and serves as a venue for events, most notably the Supper Club by SAIT.
What’s this space all about?
Although it’s not a new space, The Tastemarket was rebranded as The Tastemarket Canadian Kitchen in 2022, incorporating regional cuisine from across Canada, as well as Indigenous food influences into the curriculum.
“What makes a kitchen Canadian is the ingredients. We use ingredients from across the country, and they all tell a story,” says Chef Instructor Kyle Groves. “From Atlantic salmon to bison to grains and vegetables, they’re represented in different ways to showcase the flavours, colours, tastes and cultural experiences of people from all over Canada.”
🍔 What’s the most popular dish? It’s close, but the Bison Burger leads with the Atlantic Salmon and Three Sisters Poke Bowl a strong second.
The Tastemarket Canadian Kitchen interior during an event
Advancing sustainable energy innovation #HereAtSAIT
In May, Imperial, one of Canada’s largest energy companies, donated a $37-million research lab facility to SAIT.
The 40,000 square foot Imperial Energy Innovation Centre, located in Calgary’s Quarry Park, will support the expansion of applied research in energy innovation at SAIT.
Imperial Energy Innovation Centre
What’s inside?
When it comes online this month, the centre will serve as a dynamic hub bringing together leading industry professionals and top researchers in their fields to address generational energy challenges.
Imperial will continue to use the SAIT-operated facility to support ongoing research programs to increase industrial efficiencies and environmental performance in its operations.
🔬The centre will also expand opportunities for students to work alongside experts from SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services Hub, led by the Centre for Energy Research and Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions, and to collaborate directly with industry partners on real-world projects.
What’s this space all about?
The facility positions Calgary and Alberta at the forefront of global energy research and will help prepare Alberta’s next generation of energy leaders.
“This donation is a clear reflection of SAIT’s strong ties to industry and our commitment to applied research. It will also create meaningful opportunities for students to engage directly with experts from this vital sector,” says Dr. David Ross, SAIT President and CEO. “The new Imperial Energy Innovation Centre will help drive the next generation of energy research — fostering innovation and bringing together leading industry professionals with top researchers in their fields.”
Curious about other facilities and renovation projects on campus?
See inside SAIT’s coolest energy labs
John Ware Revitalization project
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.