The Olympic Plaza resides on the east bank of the Bow River in downtown Calgary. Originally named Olympic Oval Plaza, it has various landscaping that includes several fountains, a giant reflective pool with interactive water jets and sculptures, including an ice-resurfaced field (the only one of its kind in Calgary).
Olympic Plaza is a public square covering an area of 1.2 hectares (3 acres) in Calgary, Alberta. Built in 1988, the Plaza for the Winter Olympics is a venue for medal ceremonies; today, it hosts many festivals and other public events (such as the Stampede) that occur during the summer in Calgary.
Olympic Plaza settles in the middle of downtown Calgary. It sits on an island on the east side of 8 Avenue South, right next to City Hall. The Olympic Stadium surrounds the Plaza (built as an indoor venue for the Games but now used mainly for outdoor sporting events), the Calgary Curling Club (home to two world championships), Stampede Park (site of most of the Stampede’s fairgrounds entertainment. The Plaza is accessible by Calgary’s CTrain system at the City Hall station.
Calgary Olympic Plaza is a public amenity since 1989 and a symbol of the 1988 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Plaza brick program is a unique way for Calgarians to purchase their permanent piece of Calgary’s rich Olympic history. By purchasing an inscribed brick, Calgarians can ensure their special personal message will become a permanent feature of a beautiful public space in acknowledgement and celebration of the 1988 Winter Olympics.
In 2006, it was officially renamed Olympic Plaza (instead of Olympic Circle) by the City Council. It was to be a unique development and provide a lasting tribute to the Olympic spirit. The Plaza is home to over 3,000 individual commemorative bricks.
The large plaza area features a wading pool for children in the summer months and a fabulous ice rink in winter. The Calgary Plaza is a hub for indoor and outdoor activities as well as unique retail venues. Ice skating and splashing water are available in summer, along with bands that perform to a crowd of tourists and locals.
The Plaza features a Legacy Wall, where you can see plaques commemorating Calgary’s Olympic medalists. It’s also home to cafes with outdoor patios that offer glorious views of the Bow River and downtown Calgary. A few amenities at the Olympic Plaza Calgary include;
The winter skating loop around Olympic Plaza is a popular Calgary tradition and a great way to get outside during the winter months! The loop is 4km long, takes about an hour to skate and features old school skate rentals from the Skate Hut. Bring your skates and rent helmets from the Skate Hut. Skate Rentals for 2 hours include Children’s ice skates for $8, Figure and Hockey Skate for $12 & Helmets for $5. Active hours for ice skating at Olympic Plaza are from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.
The Olympic Plaza Treasure program lets you preserve the Olympic spirit in your community by buying a commemorative brick. Built each year to celebrate the Olympics that transpired, Bricks from Olympic Plaza Treasure make great souvenirs for any sports enthusiast. Each brick marks a custom message. This unique design makes them an excellent conversation piece.
Also Read:- The Calgary Zoo Travel Guide
Also Read:- The Glen bow Museum Calgary
There is paid parking in Olympic Plaza from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm on weekdays. On Saturdays, the park hours are from 9:00 am – 10:00 pm. Many metered parking spaces are free to park for the first 15 minutes of use at $2.45. The maximum daily parking price is $17.15, and the maximum weekly rate is $96.10.
Due to the covid-19 pandemic, make sure you wear face coverings while enjoying your tour at the Plaza. There are restrictions to limit the number of skaters allowed at the Ice Skating rink.
As one of Canada’s largest urban parks, Olympic Plaza provides a beautiful central gathering place for the city. Budget Glass Calgary provides a comprehensive tour guide to this vibrant space. Visitors can enjoy Calgary’s famous winter and summer attractions or stop by to soak in the sites and sounds of Calgary’s bustling downtown. It’s no wonder that this location is often a top destination for visitors to the city.
This blog is written by the team of Budget Glass Calgary, We are a local glass Shop in Calgary, Alberta. We offer quality Auto Glass Repair & Replacement, Residential Glass, Commercial Glass, Vinyl Windows and Door repair & replacement services in Calgary Alberta. We stand behind all our glasswork, and our customer service speaks for itself. Contact us to get the best glass solutions for your property!
Budget Glass is one of the fast growing company in Calgary Alberta and a member of Budget Automotive Group Inc.
