Alright, buckle up, Calgary! Big news from City Hall: The Olympic Plaza bricks are being set free! If you’ve been dreaming of reclaiming that commemorative brick you bought back in 1988 — the one that’s been sitting proudly in Olympic Plaza since the Winter Games — you’re in luck. The City of Calgary has flipped the script and is now giving you the chance to get your hands on that sentimental piece of history before the Plaza undergoes a total transformation.
Yes, you heard right. Those iconic 33,000 bricks, engraved with the names of proud Calgarians who helped support the Olympics, are going to be retrieved… well, at least some of them. The catch? This isn’t a “grab ‘em all” situation. The bricks have been hanging out for almost 40 years, so they’ve seen better days. Some are in rough shape, others are practically glued to the ground, and the mortar is more stubborn than your grandma trying to put her iPhone on speaker. But, for those of you who are still clinging to that nostalgic connection to 1988, this is your shot.
Here’s the lowdown: Starting December 10, you can officially sign up to retrieve your brick. Whether you were a proud purchaser back in the day or you’ve got a family member who bought one, this is your chance to reunite with your piece of Olympic history. The city’s initial stance was that saving all those bricks was too tricky and costly, but after a wave of outcry and petitions — plus some serious heartwarming community spirit — they’ve decided to give it a go.
Now, before you get too excited, it’s not as simple as just picking it up like a souvenir at the end of a shopping spree. The bricks are practically welded into the Plaza — they’re old, they’re fragile, and removing them is a complex, high-risk mission. In fact, the city’s not guaranteeing every brick can be saved. But hey, they’re giving it their best shot, and if you’re one of the lucky ones, your brick will be ready for pickup on January 3 or 4, 2025.
Here’s what you need to know to make it happen:
- Registration: Sign up online by December 18 on the city’s Olympic Plaza website. Only original brick owners or their legal heirs are eligible. You’ll also need to prove it’s yours by showing some ID and knowing your brick’s engraving details (use the Olympic Brick Finder app if you’ve forgotten).
- Risk: The city’s being upfront — there’s a chance your brick may not survive the removal. They’re not sugarcoating it. But for many, that’s a small price to pay for keeping that historical connection alive.
- Dates: If you’re one of the lucky ones to get your brick, mark your calendar for January 3 and 4, 2025. That’s when you can swing by and pick it up — just don’t forget your sturdy shoes (and a little bit of patience).
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Why does this matter so much? Simple. The 1988 Winter Olympics weren’t just a moment in time; they were a game-changer for Calgary. Olympic Plaza became a landmark, a place where we celebrated our city’s pride and history. For so many, those bricks symbolize more than just a purchase — they’re part of the story of our city’s rise to global prominence. They carry the legacy of a time when Calgary took center stage on the world map.
Now, a $70-million facelift for Olympic Plaza and nearby Arts Commons is on the horizon, which means the Plaza will be under construction starting January 2025 and won’t reopen until 2028. But don’t worry — the city’s redesign will still pay tribute to the Olympics and everything they represent. The heart of the Plaza will live on, even as the physical structure evolves.
So, what are you waiting for? Get registered, get your brick, and hold on to a little piece of history. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Whether it’s a memento of your own Olympic moment or a family treasure, this is your chance to make sure it’s not just another casualty of a city renovation. Don’t let your Olympic legacy slip through your fingers.
Register before December 18 at Calgary.ca/OlympicPlaza.