In a heartwarming turn of events, the City of Calgary has successfully reclaimed and is returning thousands of bricks from Olympic Plaza to their original buyers. This proactive step comes as part of preparations for a major redevelopment of the plaza, originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, which is set to cost a staggering $660 million.

Initially, there were doubts about the feasibility of saving the 33,000 bricks from the site, with the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) stating it may be impossible. However, after significant public concern and reports of bricks being removed by individuals, the city reversed its decision in December, agreeing to salvage some of the bricks.

These bricks, sold for $19.88 as a fundraising effort during the lead-up to the Games, allowed Calgarians to contribute to their community's Olympic legacy. Over 8,000 people registered to reclaim their bricks, and in a remarkable effort, approximately 70% of those requested were retrieved, each carrying personal and historical significance.

Kyle Ripley, a spokesperson for the city, shared that the timeline for pulling the bricks was tight to minimize disruption to both public events and construction schedules. Unfortunately, the removal process wasn’t without its challenges; decades of exposure had caused many of the bricks to crack or break, leading to a 30% loss during retrieval efforts.

As of Friday, city officials celebrated the return of around 5,600 salvaged bricks to eager owners. Among them was Gail Ennis, who proudly claimed her three cherished bricks, which commemorate her family’s contributions to the Games. Each brick holds special significance, especially as they bear the names of her family members, including her late husband and her children, who are now pursuing dreams far from home.

Olympic Plaza is currently closed as construction begins, paving the way for a modernized space that will honor its storied past while shaping a new future. The final design of the revitalized plaza is set to be revealed by the end of March, and it remains uncertain what will happen to the remaining bricks, as the city plans not to preserve or repurpose them in the redevelopment.

This initiative exemplifies the city’s commitment to honoring its heritage while embracing the exciting changes ahead. Will new generations create their own memories in this iconic space? Time will tell as Calgary prepares to welcome a bold new chapter in the story of Olympic Plaza.