Calgary’s Premier Gala & Charity Events Venue
Host your next fundraiser at Waterfront Park in NW Calgary. Exclusively managed by Simply Elegant, our all-inclusive indoor and outdoor event spaces eliminate planning stress so you can focus on your cause and your donors.
Owned by the Shriners of Southern Alberta — A charitable organization supporting local children and families.
We Understand Charities, Because We Are One
Waterfront Park is more than just a beautiful fundraising event space. As a property owned by the Shriners of Southern Alberta, we are a charitable organization dedicated to helping local children and families. When you choose our gala venue, your investment directly supports the community. We share your philanthropic values and know exactly what it takes to host a successful, purpose-driven charity event.
Versatile Indoor & Outdoor Spaces for Your Fundraiser
Give your donors an unforgettable experience at our premier charity events venue. Our flexible layouts comfortably accommodate 100 to 400 guests, ensuring a seamless flow for your entire program:
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Arrival & Silent Auctions: Spacious entry areas perfect for smooth guest registration and high-visibility silent auction displays.
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Cocktail Hour: Invite guests to connect and mingle at the outdoor Waterfront Pavilion with beautiful, relaxing lake views.
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The Main Event: Transition indoors to the Lakeside Theatre for your seated gala dinner, live auction, and keynote speeches.
Take a 360° Virtual Tour of Our Gala Spaces
Explore our indoor and outdoor fundraising spaces right from your desk. Take a virtual walkthrough of the Lakeside Theatre and Waterfront Pavilion to picture your next charity event before booking an in-person tour.
Valleyview and Lakeside Venues
Belvedere Lawn & Pavilion Tent
This virtual tour is presented by WeddingWire.ca and powered by Matterport.
The Simply Elegant Advantage: All-Inclusive Gala Planning
Coordinating multiple vendors for a non-profit event is overwhelming. As the exclusive in-house event planners for Waterfront Park, the Simply Elegant team delivers a seamless, one-stop-shop experience.
Learn more about Simply Elegant and the 30+ years of supporting galas and fundraising events in Calgary.
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Charity Event Catering: Cost-effective, customized menus designed specifically for fundraisers to maximize your ROI.
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In-House Decor: Premium linens, centrepieces, and lighting to beautifully transform your gala venue.
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AV & Staging: We will work with you to source screens, microphones, and staging ready for your auctioneer, speakers, and corporate sponsor recognition.
Why Calgary Non-Profits Choose Our Charity Events Venue
We know that logistics can make or break your fundraiser. Our venue is designed to eliminate common event headaches, ensuring a smooth experience for both your volunteer committee and your donors:
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Ample Free Parking: Skip the expensive downtown parking fees. Our NW Calgary location provides abundant free parking for all your gala guests.
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The Perfect Capacity: Comfortably host intimate fundraisers of 100 or larger charity galas of up to 400 attendees.
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Accessible Logistics: Enjoy easy, ground-level load-in for your event team and silent auction items, alongside fully accessible facilities for every guest.
Waterfront Pavillion
The pavilion’s capacity is 175 guests with a sit-down dinner setup and 400 cocktail setup. Available June to September.
Valleyview Terrace
The Valleyview Terrace can accommodate a maximum capacity of 125 people for a sit-down dinner. Available year-round.
Lakeside Theater
The Lakeside Theatre Room can host a maximum of 250 people for a sit-down dinner. Available year-round.
3 Simple Steps to Your Best Fundraiser
Planning a charity event shouldn’t be complicated. We’ve designed a straightforward process to take the weight off your shoulders:
Connect & Tour
Reach out to explore our NW Calgary gala venue in person or via our virtual tour to see if we are the perfect fit for your vision.
Customize Your Vision
Partner with your dedicated Simply Elegant event planner to design your layout, event decor, and a cost-effective catering menu that maximizes your fundraising dollars.
Host & Raise
Focus entirely on engaging with your donors and championing your cause while our expert team flawlessly executes every detail behind the scenes.
Trusted by Calgary’s Non-Profit Community
Planning our annual gala used to mean juggling five different vendors. Partnering with Simply Elegant at Waterfront Park changed everything. Their one-stop-shop approach took the stress entirely off our committee, and the catering was spectacular. We could actually enjoy the evening and connect with our donors!
The Lakeside Theatre is absolutely stunning, and our guests loved starting the evening with cocktails by the water at the Pavilion. Not having to worry about expensive downtown parking was a huge win for our attendees. Thanks to the seamless planning, it was our most successful fundraiser yet.
As a local charity, we have to be incredibly careful with our budget. The Simply Elegant team helped us design a beautiful event and a custom menu that truly maximized our fundraising ROI. The built-in AV made our live auction a breeze. We will definitely be back next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer special pricing for non-profits?
Yes! As a charity ourselves, we offer custom, cost-effective catering and event packages designed specifically for non-profit budgets to ensure more money goes toward your cause.
What time of the year is best for your event?
Charitable organizations can take advantage of special pricing from January through April, making it more affordable to host fundraising events, community gatherings, and special occasions during this seasonal period.
Do we need to hire our own caterer and decorator?
No. All services at our charity events venue are exclusively provided by our in-house experts at Simply Elegant. This ensures a flawless, high-quality, and stress-free experience for your team.
Is the venue equipped for a live auction or keynote speaker?
We will work with you to source a reliable AV solution, including staging, microphones, and screens for sponsor recognition and presentations.
Ready to Plan a Flawless Fundraiser?
Let us handle the logistics so you can focus on your donors. Reach out today to check our availability and start planning your next great event.