Massive project that includes amphitheatre and 120-room hotel coming to Bragg Creek, Alta.

A massive development — that will eventually include a hotel, housing and an amphitheatre — is coming to the small community of Bragg Creek, Alta., with construction beginning this year.

Earlier this month, Rocky View County gave the go-ahead to start building the Gateway Village project.

The complex will sit on a parcel of land covering 12.6 acres (6.3 hectares) next to the Elbow River, west of the existing shopping centre in the hamlet about 35 kilometres west of Calgary.

Gateway Village is set to include townhomes, affordable housing, seniors housing, retail shops, an amphitheatre, restaurant and boutique hotel.

Dick Koetsier, president of Gateway Developments, says he's excited to finally move forward with plans he started many years ago after he fell in love with Bragg Creek.

"[I'll] try and build something that when people come here it will seem like it's always been here," he said.

"That's what we're striving for, and [to] fill the holes that have been here in Bragg Creek for many years."

A major feature of the project is the Wakesiah Lodge boutique hotel, which will include 120 rooms, a conference centre, restaurant and spa.

Daniel Henn, the reeve of Rocky View County, thinks the hotel "will be a game changer for Bragg Creek."

Henn says it will turn the hamlet into a place where people linger for longer.

"In the past, Bragg Creek has pretty much been a day-use type of thing. There's the odd bed and breakfast there, but really there was no place to stay overnight," he said.

Henn says the majority of the community supports the project and any issues that arose have been addressed.

Construction on some of the housing and retail shops that make up Gateway Village is set to begin this year.