Heritage buildings, more than brick and stone

When Calgarians shared input about their main street neighbourhoods, many said that community character and heritage was something they wanted City Planners to consider for the future of these areas. We hit the streets with The City's Senior Heritage Planner, Clint Robertson, to learn more about heritage sites in Calgary—what are they, why are they important, and how we identify them.



There are thirteen main streets with identified heritage buildings. For a more in-depth look at the history of these areas, visit the main streets web pages below.

• Bowness Road NW
• Kensington Rd NW
• 10 St NW
• Centre St North
• Edmonton Trail NE
• 1 Ave NE
• 17 Ave SW
• 10 Ave SW
• 14 St SW
• 33 Ave SW
• 4 St SW
• 17 Ave SE
• 9 Ave SE

Interested in learning more about The City's Heritage Planning work?

Discover Historic Calgary locations

View historic resources by development era, architectural styles or original uses >

View map of historic resources >

To learn more, visit calgary.ca/heritage.

Historic Eamon’s Building Future is Uncertain

Calgary’s City Council will soon be deciding the fate of the Eamon’s Service Station building, and if Calgarians want the building to remain as part of our citys Calgary’s landscape, they need to act soon.

Eamon's Service Station Building

A Calgary Herald article outlines some of the history and previous uses of the Eamon’s building, including the filming of a music video by Canadian rocker Corey Hart.

The City has protected the building for potential redevelopment and prepped the site at the Park and Ride lot at the Tuscany LRT Station. However, no one has come forward with a privately funded plan to make the move a reality.

A decision will have to be made soon on the future of the building. City Council has suggested we find a private partner/investor to redevelop the building. The City has many competing priorities, and funding the restoration of the Eamon’s Building with public funds is unlikely.

If Calgarians want this historic building to survive and be back on the site, someone needs to come forward now to invest.

For more information, or to contact The City about the Eamon’s Building, you can get more details here.

Celebrate Flag Day: The Canadian Flag turns 50!

February 15 marks 50 years since the first official Canadian flag was raised on Parliament Hill in 1965. Since then, the Canadian flag has been used in countless Canadian celebrations and occasions, both at home and abroad. In 1996, February 15 was proclaimed National Flag Day of Canada and has been observed every year since. In celebration of the anniversary of the Canadian Flag, Mayor Nenshi has proclaimed February 15, 2015 as “50th Anniversary of the National Flag Day”.

The Canadian Flag was the result of a search by the Government of Canada in 1964 to find a design that truly represented Canada. Thousands of designs were submitted by Canadians and reviewed by a committee who recommended the single maple leaf, with the red and white design to Parliament.



The winning flag was selected because of its simplicity, the use of Canada’s official national colours, and because Canadian troops and athletes were already using the maple leaf as an emblem on their uniforms when representing Canada abroad, marking it as a symbol of Canadian identity and pride.
The motion to adopt this design passed on December 15, 1964 and was officially proclaimed as our National Flag by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965.

Citizens are encouraged to participate and celebrate the Canadian flag, a symbol of our identity and a source of pride. Suggestions for celebrations are available on www.canada.ca/flagday. You can also participate by sharing your own photo, video or story on social media using the hashtag #Flag50.

City launches the Heritage Conservation Learning Guide for teachers and parents

The City’s Heritage Planning team has launched a learning guide that aids teachers and parents in planning heritage conservation lessons for grade 1-6 students. The guide makes it easy to teach young students about the importance of heritage conservation by providing information on The City’s practices, links to external information and ready-to-implement learning activities for each section.

In the guide, teachers will find lessons and activities intended to teach students how to look for heritage features, how to examine their own home compared to those built in other countries or time periods, how to decide whether or not to preserve a building or structure, and how Calgary’s past can be explored through heritage buildings, structures and places.

Teachers and students are often particularly interested in The City’s Historical Evaluation System: the criteria used to determine if a building, structure or place should be recognized as “heritage”. Many people consider age to be the deciding factor, when in fact there are 9 different criteria used to identify the value of Calgary's historic resources.

The 19 page learning guide includes helpful images, links and lesson plans to aid any teacher. View the learning guide online.

Pride of Lion’s winners showcase Calgary’s heritage

The Calgary Heritage Authority recognized 16 award recipients last week at the 2014 Lion Awards gala for efforts to preserve Calgary’s heritage.

“There was a tremendous response to this year’s Lion Awards from Calgarians who are helping build and preserve our community heritage” said Scott Jolliffe, Chair of the Calgary Heritage Authority. “I commend these award winners, and all applicants, for their extraordinary efforts which benefit Calgarians both today and in the future.”

The awards were presented at the historic Theatre Junction Grand, winner of a 2006 Lion Award, with over 300 members of the community in attendance, including Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

The gala event featured a special Flood Recovery Award to recognize outstanding efforts in rescuing historic resources from the effects of flood damage. Two winners were selected for the flood recovery award: The Baird/Miller residence in Elbow Park and the National Music Centre.

Despite the monumental task homeowner Cory Miller sought to preserve the 102 year old sandstone house. A focal point of the recovery effort was the repair of the original iron boiler and using unconventional methods to dry the delicate sandstone foundation of the property immediately following the flood.

The National Music Centre’s Custom House collection risked being lost in the flood. However, more than 75 volunteers spent over 2,000 hours evacuating 143 pianos, thousands of electronic parts, radios, schematics, in record time to a safe location where damaged collection items are now under restoration.

Award recipients were selected by a jury made up of five distinguished members of the community.

The Calgary Heritage Authority Lion Awards are held every two years to acknowledge heritage conservation and public awareness efforts taking place across the city and to showcase sites that defined Calgary’s past and contributed to the essence of our city.

See videos of this year's Lion Award winners in the playlist below.



Complete List of 2014 Lion Award Recipients
Resource Conservation
• Findlay Apartment Building Renovation
• National Hotel and East End Livery Barn Restoration
• Nellie McClung House Adaptive Re-use
• Old YWCA Front Porch Restoration
• T-Mac Group “Bank and Baron”

Resource Conservation – Flood Recovery
• Baird/Miller Residence
• National Music Centre

Landscape
• Poppy Plaza Landscape of Memory
• Oliver Quarry Park

Community Vitalization
• Century Homes Calgary
• cSpace King Edward Arts Hub and Incubator

Heritage Tradespeople/Craftspeople
• Rick Janzen
• Russ Heikkinen

Advocacy and Awareness
• Cynthia Klaassen
• Heritage Roundtable
• Let’s talk about... Building ICONOMY

New Design - Honourable mention only*

Honourable mentions:
• Western Canada High School Modernization
• Biscuit Block*
• Equinox Vigil in Union Cemetery
• Heritage Walking Tour of Hextall Homes in Bowness
• Alberta Champions Society in Recognition of Community Enrichment
• Rouleauville: Calgary's French Connection
• Whispering Signs: Ecological Encounters in an Urban Prairie
• History In the Making Volunteer Tradespeople

For more information on The Lion Awards, please visit www.calgary.ca/lionawards

McHugh is making a move

Sunday is moving day for the historic McHugh House. The McHugh House is one of the ten oldest houses in Calgary, built in 1896 by a family that had a significant role in Calgary’s past. It was donated to The City by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary earlier this year and we will be moving it to Humpy Hollow Park so it can be restored and preserved for future generations.

McHugh House as it now sits. The bricks have been removed and it's resting on a trailer.

The house will start moving at 9 a.m. and it is expected that the move will be complete sometime around 3 p.m. If you would like to come watch, there are some things to keep in mind:

• The move is going to be weather dependant, so it may be postponed if there is a storm.

• The house will only be travelling along Centre Street from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The rest of the day will be spent lowering it onto its new foundation.

• There will be barricades in place to close the roads along the move route. Please remain behind the barricades at all times for your safety and the safety of our crews.

• There will be City staff, utility crews and staff from the moving contractor on site. Please follow all instructions given to you by any of these people so that we can move the building as safely and quickly as possible.

• The following roads and areas will be closed during the move:
• 18th Avenue S.W. will be closed between Centre Street and 1st Street S.W.
• Centre Street will be closed between 18th Avenue S.W. and 15th Avenue S.W.
• Humpy Hollow Park will be closed to the public.

If you want to follow the move but can’t come watch, you can find out what is happening in real time through live tweets on the Planning, Development & Assessment department’s Twitter feed (@nextCITYyyc). More information about the McHugh House or the move can also be found by visiting www.calgary.ca/McHugh or by calling 311.

2014 Lion Awards to highlight flood impacted properties

Built in 1912, The Baird/Miller residence was officially designated as a municipal historic resource by The City in September 2013. This property, like many others, was impacted by the 2013 floods but has undergone flood recovery work to ensure it will be part of Calgary’s landscape for generations to come.



The Calgary Heritage Authority Lion Awards are presented biennially to celebrate the projects and people who have contributed to preserving Calgary’s heritage. In recognition of the extraordinary recovery efforts undertaken at heritage sites after the 2013 floods, the Calgary Heritage Authority will be presenting a special flood recovery award at the 2014 Lion Awards. There are six Lion Award categories: Resource Conservation, New Building Design, Landscape, Community Vitalization, Advocacy and Awareness, and Heritage Tradespeople/Craftspeople.

Nominations and applications are being accepted until June 2.

For more information, visit Calgary.ca/lionawards

The Lions are coming

Every two years the Calgary Heritage Authority honours the people and projects that preserve our city’s heritage at the Lion Awards. From conserving historic buildings and places, to celebrating community resilience, the awards showcase many chapters of Calgary’s continuing story.

“One of the unique things this year is we have an award category oriented towards flood recovery,” said Terry MacKenzie, Calgary Heritage Authority board member and Chair of the Public Awareness Committee. “In particular we are looking at tradespersons and individuals who have done things to protect and save our historic resources that may have been affected by last summer’s flooding.”



This year’s categories are:
• Resource Conservation (including flood recovery)
• New Building Design
• Landscape
• Community Vitalization
• Advocacy and Awareness
• Heritage Tradespeople/Craftspeople

Do you know a person or a project that should be considered for a Lion Award? Projects completed since 2008 may be eligible in one or more of six categories. Apply or make an award nomination by June 2.

Keep watching for more information about award nominees, and the 2014 Lion Awards Gala to take place at the historic Theatre Junction Grand on July 31, 2014.

You're Invited: Calgary’s Cappy Smart Band celebrates 20-years of musical excellence

The Cappy Smart Band has been bringing joy and providing top-notch entertainment to Calgarians for more than 20 years.

Made up of volunteer professional and amateur musicians from the Calgary Fire Department, this fun and talented 40-piece band will be celebrating its 20-year anniversary with a free concert for the public on Sunday, March 2, at 2 p.m. in the Leacock Theatre at Mount Royal University.

This will be the second complimentary concert that the Cappy Smart Band has performed in celebration of its anniversary. The first concert was in November 2013 and a third concert is being planned for June 2014.

The trio of concerts marks two decades of the Cappy Smart Band’s revitalization. In the late 1800s the band was formed by the first full-time Calgary Fire Chief James ‘Cappy’ Smart. The group of musicians played for all kinds of city events, from ice cream socials to operas, before they folded in 1914 when all its members joined the war effort. The Cappy Smart Band was re-established almost 80 years later in 1993 thanks to support from a Calgary businessman, David Mitchell, whose father had been a close friend of Fire Chief Smart.

Although admission for Sunday’s concert is free, donations in support of the Cappy Smart Band are welcome.

For more information on the Cappy Smart Band visit CappySmart.com

Four historic bridges recognized with Calgary Heritage Authority plaques

Every two years the Calgary Heritage Authority community heritage plaque program places information plaques on sites of historical significance.

“The plaque program provides an opportunity to recognize important heritage sites throughout our city,” says Scott Jolliffe, Calgary Heritage Authority Chair. “Last year’s loss of the iconic  Elbow River suspension bridges makes today’s recognition of four historic Calgary bridges all the more relevant. These plaques will help build awareness about the value and importance of these bridges, which have connected generations of Calgarians.”

The Calgary Heritage Authority recently completed a historical survey of Calgary’s bridges, and has added a number of significant bridges to the City’s inventory of historic resources.  The heritage inventory can be viewed at www.calgary.ca/heritage.

The four sites that received plaques are:

The Langevin Bridge

Location:  4 Street SE at the Bow River; between East Village and Bridgeland-Riverside

Built in 1910, the Langevin Bridge replaced an earlier bridge and ferry crossing, and is at the location of an ancient river crossing on the “Old North Trail,” an important Aboriginal transportation corridor. The bridge enabled the extension of the new streetcar system across the Bow River. This is one of four Calgary bridges known as “Parker Camelback” bridges, because the framework of structural steel that looks like a camel’s back in profile. It’s also recognizable today for its LED installation, as part of the effort to revitalize the East Village.

The Hextall Bridge, also known as the old Shouldice Bridge

Location:  Bow Crescent NW; between Bowness and Montgomery

This bridge was constructed in 1910 by businessman John Hextall, who sought to transform the area of Bowness into an idyllic garden suburb. Soon afterwards the City took over the bridge and put in a streetcar line. Generations of Calgarians came to know the bridge as the way to get to Bowness Park.  In 1986 a new bridge was built and the old bridge found a new life as part of the regional pathway system.

12 Avenue Elbow River Bridge, also known as the MacDonald Bridge

Location: 12 Avenue SE at the Elbow River; between Victoria Park/Beltline and Ramsay

This bridge across the Elbow River was completed in 1911 and helped enable the development of East Calgary. Workers at the CPR Canadian Pacific Railway Ogden Shops, the Burns meatpacking plant and other major east side workplaces relied on this bridge and the street railway system, as did the residents of new residential communities in Ogden and Ramsay.

All three of the steel truss bridges being honoured were built to facilitate the rapid growth of Calgary and the street car system in the boom years prior to the First World War. The steel structures were manufactured in Eastern Canada, shipped west by rail and assembled on site with rivets, a technique that is clearly visible on the structures today.

The Mewata Bridge

Location: 14 Street at the Bow River; between Hillhurst and Sunalta

Built in 1954, the Mewata Bridge was the first major river crossing built in Calgary since the Louise Bridge in 1922.  It helped to facilitate post-war suburban growth in northwest Calgary and the establishment of a system of one-way streets in downtown. A national newspaper hailed the bridge as a “milestone in the city’s vast post-war development.” The Mewata Bridge is of mid-century modern design, and was partly inspired by the recently completed Waterloo Bridge in London, England.

The Mewata Bridge is of mid-20th century modern design. It was built using “box-girder” technology, which uses steel-reinforced concrete beams shaped like a tube with multiple walls. When it was built it was the longest box-girder span in North America, the first in Western Canada, and the first example in Canada to use the new technique of butt-welded reinforcing steel.

For more information about heritage planning and the Calgary Heritage Authority, visit www.calgary.ca/heritage.

VIDEO: East Village vision is on the rise

The transformation of Calgary's East Village is gaining momentum. Since 2007, Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) has invested more than $180 million towards infrastructure for the 49 acre community east of the core.

Construction of roughly 1,400 new condos is underway, as well as the National Music Centre and the revitalization of St. Patrick’s Island and Bridge. The first three phases of RiverWalk and RiverWalk Plaza are now complete, and more development announcements are forthcoming.

Remembrance Day 2013 Events & Hours of Operation for City of Calgary Facilities

The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours of operation for services and facilities on Remembrance Day, Monday, November 11, 2013.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit will provide a Saturday level of service on Remembrance Day.

For more information and schedules, please visit calgarytransit.com.

Community Recycling Depots

Collection at Community Recycling Depots is not affected by the Remembrance Day holiday.

Residential blue, black and green cart collection

Residential collection schedules for blue, black and green carts are not affected by the Remembrance Day holiday.

Landfills

East Calgary Landfill (3801 - 68 Street S.E.)
Remembrance Day: OPEN 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spyhill Landfill (11808 69 Street N.W.)
Remembrance Day: CLOSED

Shepard Landfill (12111 - 68 Street S.E.)
Remembrance Day: CLOSED

Animal Services Centre - 2201 Portland Street S.E.

Saturday, November 9: Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, November 10:  Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, November 11:  Closed
Tuesday, November 12:  Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Recreation

For more information please visit calgary.ca/recreation.

Athletic Parks 

All Athletic Parks are closed, except for any advanced bookings.

Aquatics & Fitness Centres

The following Aquatic & Fitness Centres are open for Free Swim 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Remembrance Day, November 11.

Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre
Canyon Meadows Aquatic & Fitness Centre
Glenmore Aquatic Centre
Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre
Shouldice Aquatic Centre
Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre

Arenas

The following Arenas are offering Free Public Skate from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Remembrance Day, November 11.

Ernie Starr Arena
Frank McCool Arena
Murray Copot Arena
Optimist Arena
Jimmie Condon Arena
Shouldice Arena
Henry Viney Arena
Stu Peppard Arena

For more information, please visit: www.calgary.ca/arenas.

Southland Leisure Centre

Southland Leisure Centre will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Remembrance Day.

Village Square Leisure Centre

Village Square Leisure Centre will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Remembrance Day.

Arts Centres

North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre is open on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10. Closed for Remembrance Day, Monday, November 11.

Wildflower Arts Centre is open on Saturday, November 9.  Closed for Sunday, November 10 and for Remembrance Day, Monday, November 11.

City of Calgary Parks

Bowness Park 

Bowness Park is closed for flood recovery and redevelopment.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

The Nature Centre is closed for Remembrance Day. The sanctuary (trails) are also closed until further notice due to flood damage.

Devonian Gardens

Open from noon to 5 p.m.

City Administrative Offices

All administrative offices will be closed on Monday, November 11 and will reopen on Tuesday, November 12.

Other Facilities

Fort Calgary
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heritage Park
Heritage Park is open  daily from October 15 – December 31.

Gasoline Alley Museum and Historical Village: open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Haskayne Mercantile Block: Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Railway Café: Open 9:00 a.m.  – 5:30 p.m.
Park Lane Portrait Studio: Monday through Friday by appointment only (403-268-8561). Open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Selkirk Grille: Open  daily for lunch. Tuesday – Sunday for dinner. Reservations recommended.

Deane House

 The Dean House is closed for renovations until Fall 2014.

Calgary Zoo

Due to considerable damage caused by the June 2013 flood The Calgary Zoo is only partially open. Penguin Plunge, Canadian Wilds and Prehistoric Park will be available for viewing.

The zoo is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Gates close at 4 p.m.

TELUS Spark

Sunday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Regular Admission Applies.

Remembrance Day Events

The City of Calgary would like to remind Calgarians of the variety of venues that will be hosting  Remembrance Day services this year including:

Battalion Park
3001 Signal Hill Dr. S.W.
Service begins at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial Drive Cross Project 
Place a cross for each Southern Albertan killed in action in any war or peacekeeping activity between now and November 11. Service begins at 11:00 a.m. on Remembrance Day.
Location: On the north side of Memorial Dr. West of Centre Street

Remembrance Day Parade
Central Memorial Park - 1221 2 St SW
Ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

Queens’s Park Cemetery
3219  4 St. N.W.
Service begins at 11 a.m.

Jubilee Auditorium
14th Street and 16th Avenue N.W.
Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.

Aerospace Museum
4629 McCall Way N.E.
Service begins at 10:30 a.m.

The Military Museums
44520 Crowchild Trail S.W.
Service begins at 10:45 a.m. The museum will be open regular business hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Coffee and hot chocolate will also be available.

Calgary International Airport 
Main Terminal Departures Level
Services begins at 10:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving 2013 Holiday Hours of Operation for City of Calgary Facilities

The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours of operation for services and facilities on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October, 14.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service on Thanksgiving and the Call Centre will be closed.

Service Disruptions:

Calgary Transit will be performing maintenance over the long weekend Saturday October 12 - Monday, October 14. CTrain stations between Marlborough and City Hall will be closed. CTrain service between these stations will be replaced with shuttle bus service.

The B202 CTrain Shuttle Bus will be servicing: Marlborough, Franklin,Barlow/Max Bell, Calgary Zoo, Bridgeland and City Hall Stations.

The X202 Express CTrain Shuttle Bus will provide direct transit service between Marlborough and City Hall Stations.

For more information and schedules, please visit calgarytransit.com .

Community Recycling Depots

Collection at Community Recycling Depots is not affected by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Residential blue, black and green cart collection

Residential collection schedules for blue, black and green carts are not affected by the Thanksgiving holiday.

Landfills

East Calgary Landfill (3801 - 68 Street S.E.)
Thanksgiving Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spyhill Landfill (11808 69 Street N.W.)
Thanksgiving Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Shepard Landfill (12111 - 68 Street S.E.)
Thanksgiving Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Animal Services Centre - 2201 Portland Street S.E.
Saturday, October 12: Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, October 13:  Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, October 14:  Closed
Tuesday, October 15:  Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Recreation
For more information please visit calgary.ca/recreation.

Athletic Parks 
All Athletic Parks are closed, except for any advanced bookings.

Aquatics and Fitness Centres

The following Aquatic and Fitness Centres are open for Free Swim 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, October, 14.

Acadia Aquatic & Fitness Centre
Foothills Aquatic Centre
Inglewood Aquatic Centre
Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre
Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre

Arenas

The following Arenas are offering Free Public Skate from 1 - 2:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, October, 14.

Ernie Starr Arena
Frank McCool Arena
Murray Copot Arena
Optimist/George Blundun Arena
Rose Kohn/Jimmie Condon Arena
Shouldice Arena
Stew Hendry/Henry Viney Arena
Stu Peppard Arena 

For more information, please visit:  www.calgary.ca/arenas.

Southland Leisure Centre
Southland Leisure Centre will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

Village Square Leisure Centre
Village Square Leisure Centre will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Public Skate:  12:30 – 2 p.m.
Shinny Hockey: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Art Centres
The North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres will be closed from Saturday, October 12  - Monday October 14.

City of Calgary Parks

Bowness Park 
Bowness Park is closed for flood recovery and redevelopment.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
The Nature Centre is closed for Thanksgiving. The sanctuary (trails) are also closed until further notice due to flood damage; however, guided tours are available and can be booked online.

Devonian Gardens
Open from noon to 5 p.m.

City Administrative Offices

All administrative offices will be closed on Monday October 14 and will reopen on Tuesday, October 15.

Other Facilities

Fort Calgary
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heritage Park
Heritage Park is open weekdays only September 3 – October 14 and daily October 15 – December 31.

Gasoline Alley Museum and Historical Village: open daily 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Haskayne Mercantile Block: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Railway Café: Open 9:00 a.m.  – 4 p.m.
Park Lane Portrait Studio: by appointment only:  403-268-8561
Selkirk Grille: Open 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily for lunch. Tuesday – Sunday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. for dinner. Reservations recommended.

Deane House
The Dean House is closed for renovations until Fall 2014.

Calgary Zoo
Due to considerable damage caused by the June 2013 flood The Calgary Zoo is only partially open. Penguin Plunge, Canadian Wilds and Prehistoric Park will be available for viewing.

The zoo is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Gates close at 4 p.m.

TELUS Spark
Monday, October 14:  Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Regular Admission Applies.

Heritage Day 2013 Holiday Hours of Operation for City of Calgary Facilities

The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours of operation for services and facilities on Heritage Day, Monday, August 5, 2013.

City Administrative Offices

All administrative offices will be closed on Monday, August 5 and will reopen on Tuesday, August 6.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service on Heritage Day, August 5, 2013.

Between Saturday, August 3 and Monday, August 5, Calgary Transit will be conducting maintenance work at Marlborough Station. During this weekend, Marlborough Station will be closed and the 202 Blue CTrain line will service from Saddletowne to/from Rundle Station and from Franklin to/from 69th Street Station. A shuttle bus will connect you between Whitehorn and Franklin Station with stops at Rundle and Marlborough Stations.

Starting 8:00 pm Friday, 2013 August 2 to Monday, August 5 (end of service), Routes 23, 45, 49, 51 and 57 will be detoured due to southbound 36 Street NE closure (between 8 Avenue NE and 5 Avenue NE) to facilitate CTrain platform construction work.

For information and schedules, please visit www.calgarytransit.com, call Teleride at 403-974-4000, or
Calgary Transit Customer Service at 403-262-1000.

Community Recycling Depots

Collection at Community Recycling Depots is not affected by the Heritage Day holiday.

Residential blue, black and green cart collection

Residential collection schedules for blue, black and green carts are not affected by the Heritage Day holiday.

Landfills 
Reminder: City of Calgary landfills are collecting flood materials free of charge until September 3.

East Calgary Landfill (3801 - 68 Street S.E.)
Heritage Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spyhill Landfill (11808 69 Street N.W.)
Heritage Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Shepard Landfill (12111 - 68 Street S.E.)
Heritage Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Animal Services Centre - 2201 Portland Street S.E.
Saturday, August 3: Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, August 4:  Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, August 5:  Closed
Tuesday, August 6:  Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Recreation

For more information please visit calgary.ca/recreation

Athletic Parks 
All Athletic Parks are closed, except for any advanced bookings.

Aquatics and Fitness Centres
All Aquatics and Fitness Centres are closed on Heritage Day.

Southland Leisure Centre
Open Monday, August 5
Facility hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission applies.

Village Square Leisure Centre
Open Monday, August 5
Facility hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission applies.

Art Centres
The North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres will be closed on Heritage Day.

City of Calgary Parks

Bowness Park 
Due to the recent flood, Bowness Park is closed until further notice.For more information on Parks and pathway closures visit calgary.ca/parks.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
The Santuary is closed until further notice due to flood damage. The Nature Centre is open regular hours, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Devonian Gardens
Open from noon to 5 p.m.

Other Facilities

Fort Calgary
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heritage Park

Gasoline Alley Museum and Historical Village: open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Haskayne Mercantile Block: Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Railway Café: Open 9:00 a.m.  – 5:30 p.m.
Park Lane Portrait Studio: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Selkirk Grille: Open 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily for lunch. Tuesday – Sunday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. for dinner. Reservations recommended.

Deane House
 The Deane House will be closed on Heritage Day.

Calgary Zoo
After repairs needed after extensive damage caused by flooding  the Calgary Zoo partially re-opened on July 31. The zoo is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily. Gates close at 4 p.m.

TELUS Spark
Monday, August 5:  Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Regular Admission Applies.

City Matters: Cemetery Tours with The City

The City’s cemetery tours are up and running for spring, summer and fall. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about Calgary’s history, its most famous residents and infamous stories. Free guided walking tours of Union, Burnsland, St.Mary’s Pioneer and Queen’s Park cemeteries take place on various dates from June to October.

Experience the Calgary of yesteryear through the stories of Mounties, cowboys, politicians and other notables such as a local couple who survived the epic Titanic sinking, The Yorkshire Giant and more!

For more details on tour dates and times, visit Calgary.ca.

Victoria Day 2013 Holiday Hours of Operation for City of Calgary Facilities

The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours of operation for services and facilities on Victoria Day, Monday, May 20, 2013.

City Administrative Offices

All administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 20 and will reopen on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service on Victoria Day, May 20, 2013.

The 201 line (Somerset/Bridlewood to Crowfoot) will be running from Somerset/Bridlewood Station to Heritage Station and from 8 Street Station to Crowfoot Station.

The 202 line (69 Street to Saddletowne) will be running from 69 Street Station to Marlborough Station and from Whitehorn Station to Saddletowne Station.

A shuttle bus service will be in place to connect you to the Stations that are without CTrain service.

For information and schedules, please visit www.calgarytransit.com, call Teleride at 403-974-4000, or
Calgary Transit Customer Service at 403-262-1000.

Community Recycling Depots

Collection at Community Recycling Depots is not affected by the Victoria Day holiday.

Residential blue, black and green cart collection

Residential collection schedules for blue, black and green carts are not affected by the Victoria Day holiday.

Landfills 

East Calgary Landfill (3801 - 68 Street S.E.)
Victoria Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spyhill Landfill (11808 69 Street N.W.)
Victoria Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Shepard Landfill (12111 - 68 Street S.E.)
Victoria Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Animal Services Centre

2201 Portland Street S.E.

Saturday, May 18: Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19:  Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, May 20:  Closed
Tuesday, May 21:  Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Recreation

For more information please visit http://calgary.ca/recreation

Athletic Parks
All Athletic Parks are closed, except for any advanced bookings.

Aquatics and Fitness Centres
All Aquatics and Fitness Centres are closed on Victoria Day.

Southland Leisure Centre
Open Monday, May 20
Facility hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission applies.

Village Square Leisure Centre
Open Monday, May 20
Facility hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission applies.

Art Centres
The North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres will be closed on Victoria Day.

City of Calgary Parks

Bowness Park 
Park hours 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily. Follow the Bowness Park Redevelopment Project and picnic site availability updates throughout the summer here.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Nature Centre will be open 10 a.m. -4 p.m. on Victoria Day.

The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary trails will be open from sunrise to sunset.

Devonian Gardens
Open from noon to 5 p.m.

Other Facilities

Fort Calgary
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heritage Park
Historic Village opens for the summer season on May 18, 2013.
Gasoline Alley and Historical Village: open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Haskayne Mercantile Block: Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Railway Café: Open 9:00 a.m.  – 5:30 p.m.
Park Lane Portrait Studio: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Selkirk Grille: Open 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily for lunch. Tuesday – Sunday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. for dinner. Reservations recommended.

Deane House
 The Deane House will be closed on Victoria Day.

Calgary Zoo
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

TELUS Spark
Monday, May 20:  Open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Regular Admission Applies.

Experience The City's public art with the Calgary Public Library

Join the Calgary Public Library and discover the history behind Calgary's public art. The Art Circuit program is a tour of the Civic Art collection displayed around the Municipal Building and on the plus-15 system. This tour is guided by experienced volunteers who have an interest in art.

Art Circuit tours happen on the last Thursday of ever month. For more information and to register visit calgarypubliclibrary.com.

The City of Calgary celebrates first LEED platinum building certification

The City of Calgary's Public Building located at 205 8th Ave S.E. next to the Epcor Centre

For the first time, The City of Calgary has achieved a LEED® Platinum rating for Commercial interiors on a civic building. This is quite an accomplishment for an 80 year old heritage building.  Beginning in 2008, the Calgary Public Building, at 205 8th Avenue S.E., was renovated to rejuvenate an important part of our history but at the same time create a vibrant and healthy workplace in a building that is also home to an important Calgary performing arts centre.

“The renovation’s primary focus was to improve the environmental performance of the building while also preserving the exterior of the building and upgrading the interior to be more energy efficient,” explains Sharon Purvis, Director of Corporate Properties & Buildings.

Whenever possible, the project team used products that were favourable to the environment and ensured most of the demolition waste was recycled. Metal studs, wood, and piping were also sorted and then appropriately recycled or reused. Through the renovation of the Calgary Public Building, The City of Calgary was able to reduce the energy consumption by about 50 per cent and increase efficiency of the building.

Artist rendering of the Public Building from 1929

“This building is an important part of our history.  To be able to restore as many of its original features as possible while still reducing energy consumption and focusing on sustainability is a great achievement that will have long term benefits and ensure it remains part of our future ,” says Ward 11 Alderman Brian Pincott.

Onward/ By 2020, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 20 per cent from 2005 baseline.

Canada Post stamp commemorates lifesaving achievements of Raoul Wallenberg on the anniversary of his disappearance more than six decades ago

On the anniversary of his disappearance, Canada Post has released a new international stamp to commemorate the nation’s first honorary citizen, Raoul Wallenberg. 

Photo courtesy of Canada Post

Wallenberg was responsible for saving more than 100 thousand lives during the Second World War.  He crafted a protective document called the Shutz-Pass which he gave to the Jewish community throughout Budapest, often risking his own personal safety to save them from deportation by the Nazi’s. 

The International Wallenberg Stamp was designed by Glenda Rissman and features his original 1944 passport photo. It also features images of the Schutz-Pass which was designed using the symbols and colours of Sweden.

On October 15, 1984, The City of Calgary designated the corner of Macleod Trail and 7 Avenue S.E. (adjacent to Historic City Hall), Raoul Wallenberg Corner to increase public awareness of the substantial humanitarian contribution of Mr. Wallenberg and encourage further cooperation among various ethnic and religious groups.

Raoul Wallenberg was taken captive by the Soviet Army at the end of the Second World War and disappeared without further explanation.  Wallenberg became Canada’s first honorary citizen in 1985. 

City-sponsored heritage program wins national award

Lindae Stokes and Cynthia Klaassen accept a Governor General’s Award on behalf of the Century Homes Calgary organizing committee from the Right Honourable Governor General David Johnston. Photo courtesy of MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall ©Her Majesty The Queen in Right of Canada represented by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (2012).

Century Homes Calgary has been hailed as a major success by Calgarians since the program ran this summer, but now it has been recognized by the Governor General of Canada!

The volunteer organizers of the program were recently awarded the 2012 Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Community Programming. The Governor General’s History Awards are the top honour an organization can receive in the field of history and heritage.

Century Homes Calgary asked residents of homes built during Calgary’s first building boom – which peaked in 1912 – to research the history of their home and create a display about it on their property. Participating homes were then mapped on a website so that interested Calgarians could visit them during Historic Calgary Week. In total, 508 historic homes in 30 different communities participated.

“We wanted to increase awareness and appreciation of Calgary’s heritage homes by engaging the people who live in them. The number of people who signed up to do research and display their love of their Century Homes with signs and banners was overwhelming,” said Cynthia Klaassen, co-chair of the organizing committee and President of the Calgary Heritage Initiative Society, one of the main organizations involved in the program.

The Century Homes Calgary organizing committee involved a number of community organizations and sponsors in the program, including The City of Calgary’s Heritage Planning team, City Council’s Strategic Initiative Fund, the Calgary Public Library, and the Calgary Heritage Authority.

“Century Homes Calgary stood out because of its significant impact on the community, both in terms of the number of participants in the project, as well as the number of those who will benefit from the legacy of the research in future years,” said Joanna Dawson,  Community Engagement Coordinator of Canada’s History Society, the organization that administers the award.

Members of the Century Homes Calgary program team were presented with the award by His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnson, Governor General of Canada, in Ottawa last week. Plans are already underway for the 2013 Century Homes Calgary tours this summer.