Olympic Plaza Transformation
Redesigning and transforming downtown's gathering space Olympic Plaza Transformation
The Olympic Plaza Transformation will see a full redesign of the plaza as an innovative, flexible and active space in the core, building on the momentum of the investment and work already underway in downtown Calgary.
Update on Olympic Plaza bricks
As we move forward on the Olympic Plaza Transformation project and into the future for one of Calgary’s most iconic public spaces, one last opportunity has been created for Calgarians to retrieve named bricks from the plaza after it closes on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.
Only original purchasers (or those with a legal interest in the property of one) will be able to register to retrieve their brick(s) at one of two in-person events held on Jan. 3 and 4, 2025. Registration will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 and will remain open until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Successful, verified applications will be contacted via email with further details on the pick up process, location and times.
How do you register?
- Prior to registering, please complete a waiver that will be required during the registration process. You will need to print the waiver, fill it out, and upload a photo or a scan of the signed, witnessed document.
- When filling out the registration form, you will need the inscription(s) on the brick(s) you are looking to retrieve. If you know the inscription or part of it, you can confirm the exact inscription wording via the Olympic Brick Finder app.
If you are not able to find the inscription you are looking for on the Olympic Brick Finder app, you can review the purchaser register by calling the City of Calgary Archives at 403-268-8180 or email archives@calgary.ca. Please note that City of Calgary Archives should only be contacted to confirm inscription details; for all other inquiries, please call 311.
You can also visit the Archives in the Admin Building at the Municipal Complex (Main Floor, Administration Building, 313 - 7th Avenue S.E.) from 8:30 - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. Please note that the Archives will be closed from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. daily. The Archives will only be available through email on Wednesday December 18.
- Complete the registration process (registration opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024 and closes 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024).
What happens after I register?
- Once submitting the registration, this will be verified and if the brick is still intact, an attempt will be made to remove it. There is a significant risk that bricks could be damaged during the removal process. The bricks have been in place for close to 40 years and vary in their condition. We are unable to guarantee that any individual brick still in the plaza will be able to be successfully removed intact.
- If the removal is successful, you will be notified via email on the next steps to attend an in-person pick up at one of two events being planned for Jan. 3 and 4, 2025. A government issued photo ID (for either you or someone picking up the brick on your behalf). You will also be notified if the brick removal was unsuccessful.
What if I have more questions?
Please refer to the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section below. If you have additional questions, please call 311.
Olympic Plaza brick frequently asked questions (FAQ)
I was the original purchaser of a brick. How do I get it back?
Please fill out the wavier and the form with your details. Registration will be open until Dec. 18, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
When will I be able to pick up the brick?
Details of this process are being finalized and those who are verified as original purchasers or have a legal interest in the property of one will be contacted via email with details (times and locations) for picking up their brick. We are aiming to have bricks available for collection between Jan. 3 - 4, 2025.
What do I do if I have difficulty completing the registration?
Please call 311 for assistance in completing your registration.
I can’t collect my brick in person. What can I do?
We are unable to ship bricks. You or someone you designate must collect the brick in person.
What if I found out about registering to have my brick returned after registration closes Dec. 18?
We are unable to accommodate people who do not register before Dec. 18, 2024. It’s important to keep in mind, even those who have registered may not have their brick returned if it has already been removed or is damaged. Earlier this fall, CMLC commemorated the bricks by hosting Brick by Brick events in September, where more than 300 Calgarians came down to the plaza to complete a name rubbing, and to capture professional photography of their bricks. CMLC and The City are developing a digital archive of the plaza, which provides varied perspectives of the plaza’s 1988-2024 chapter.
How can I collect a brick that someone else purchased? My family member was the original purchaser of a brick and has since passed away.
You must be able to demonstrate your legal interest to the property of an original purchaser of a brick. Upon pickup we will need to see documentation to support this.If you are concerned you do not have adequate documentation or "proof" of ownership of a brick, we encourage you to still make an application for that brick. In the field titled Inscription, simply put the inscription and below that just briefly outline your situation and the documentation you have.
We will review all applications once registration closes and after that we will email you with what you need to bring on that pickup day if we’re able to successfully remove your brick intact.
I don’t have a brick. Can I have one that goes unclaimed?
No. Bricks will only be returned to the original purchaser, or someone with a legal interest in the property of that individual.
Can you remove my brick without it breaking?
There is a significant risk that bricks could be damaged during the removal process. The bricks have been in place for close to 40 years and vary in their condition. We are unable to guarantee that any individual brick still in the plaza will be able to be successfully removed intact.
What do I do if I have more questions?
Please call 311 if you have additional questions.
During construction
To facilitate construction on the Arts Commons and Olympic Plaza Transformation projects led by Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC), the plaza will be closed from Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 through 2028. City services historically located in the plaza can be found nearby.
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Public washrooms
With the closure of the year-round washrooms at Olympic Plaza during construction, the nearest public washroom can be found across Macleod Trail on the ground floor of the Municipal Complex Atrium
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Public ice skating
Nearby public ice skating (timing dependent on weather and freezing overnight temperatures) can be found at the Prince’s Island Park Lagoon, near Lot 6 (311 8 Street S.W.) and Barb Scott Park - natural ice rinks will typically open in December.
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Support for people experiencing homelessness
The Extreme Weather Response is a comprehensive and collaborative program to provide support to vulnerable and unsheltered individuals facing extreme weather conditions. Calgary Homeless Foundation coordinates this program in collaboration with The City and community partners. Visit the Calgary Homeless Foundation’s Extreme Weather Response for the resource list containing information about overnight shelters, daytime services, warming locations and supports.
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Festivals and events
Festivals and events are important to our city. They celebrate Calgary’s cultural diversity, are good for the local economy and make Calgary a vibrant place to live and visit year-round. Olympic Plaza has long been a vibrant hub for Calgary’s festivals and events. While the plaza is under construction, we are working closely with event organizers to ensure their events thrive at alternate locations.
Project background
Learn more about the Arts Commons Transformation project and the Olympic Plaza Transformation project at calgarymlc.ca.