| Architect: Gibbs Gage Architects and
numerous consultants.
Contractor: W.A. Stephenson
Construction (Western) Limited.
Original
cost:
$5.6 million. A joint
project between the City of Calgary and the Olympic
Organizing Committee.
Original detail:
A centrally located pool
which doubles as a skating rink, waterfall, stage,
outdoor amphitheatre, landscaped terraces, brick plaza,
wrought iron gates, green space, public seating.
Historical highlights:
- Situated on
approximately 40 city lots with an estimated
value of $10 million in 1986. The former site of
the Salvation Army Citadel, Colonial Hotel, City
Hall Market, Safeway Store No. 209, Princess
Furniture, Palmetto Bakery, Billingsgate Fish
Market, City Hall Cigar and News Stand, McNeil,
Caledonian, McKenzie and Ramsey Blocks.
- In February 1986
the last piece of property, Princess Furniture
(236 8th Avenue S.E.) was expropriated by the
city for $911,000.
- The Plaza was built
as the site of Olympic medal presentations and as
a focal point for a wide range of cultural and
social activities designed to enhance the Olympic
experience.
- The wrought iron
carriage and pedestrian gates (8th Avenue S.E.
side) were forged in England in 1830 and once
graced the north drive entrance to Garnstone
Castle in Herefordshire. The gates were a gift to
the City from the Devonian Foundation.
- The Olympic motto Citius,
Altius, Fortius is etched on the stage's
stone arches. This Latin phrase meaning faster,
higher, stronger was chosen by the Congress of
Paris in 1894 to symbolize the aspirations of the
Olympic movement. This stage was used for medal
presentations during the 1988 Winter Olympics.
- In June 1986,
20,000 inscribed bricks were sold to the public
for $19.88 each. $5.00 from each sale was donated
to the Olympic Plaza Trust Fund. Inscriptions
included personal messages, names, dates and
phrases. In April 1987 workman began laying the
bricks to create a plaza.
- The pool which
doubles as a skating rink in winter holds 320,00
litres of water. It can be drained in a matter of
hours to accommodate a wide variety of
activities.
- Juniper, mountain
ash, birch, spruce and pine trees, grass,
seasonal flower gardens and hanging pots in the
arcade add to the beauty of the area.
- After considerable
discussion among city officials over cost,
function and design the Plaza was officially
opened July 31, 1987 by Mayor Ralph Klein and
Frank King, Chairman XV Olympic Winter Games
Organizing Committee. In that year alone 940,000
people visited the Plaza.
- During the XV
Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary in February
1988 more than 25,000 people crowded into the
Plaza every night to join in the celebrations,
watch medal ceremonies, live performances and
spectacular laser shows.
- Following the
Olympics, plaques listing medal winners by sport
were mounted for display behind the stage area.
- Since the Olympics
the Plaza has continued to bring enjoyment to
thousands of visitors annually as a venue for
skating, wading, concerts, marriages, special
events, New Year's Eve parties, Children's
Festival, theatre, eating lunch, cooling off and
as a pleasant and beautiful park space in the
heart of downtown Calgary.
|
Olympic
Plaza