The Alberta government has approved its initial spending on a new major Calgary arena project, CBC reported.

The venue will serve as the new home of the National Hockey League’s Calgary Flames. The province has budgeted $39 million, in the form of grants for the Rivers District, as part of its $330-million funding commitment to the $1.2-million public-private development.

The Rivers District is the neighbourhood in which the arena will be built, near the team’s existing Saddledome location on the Stampede Grounds. The initial provincial funding will go towards site preparation, land acquisition, and road and infrastructure needs.

The $39-million expenditure was listed in the province’s recent quarterly budget update.

“That’s the only number you’ll find in this report regarding the Rivers District moneys,” Finance Minister Nate Horner told reporters recently. “We’ve had a discussion at Treasury Board, but that’s all I can give you at this time.”

The Flames and City of Calgary are also investing in the development.

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