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The Olympic Plaza is an urban park and gathering place in downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Located around Macleod Trail and 7 Avenue South, it was created as the venue for the medal ceremonies at the 1988 Winter Olympics.[1] In 2004, over 30,000 people packed the plaza to celebrate the Calgary Flames' run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals.[2]
Olympic Plaza serves as a meeting place, and an outdoor event area, hosting concerts and festivals. In the winter, it is used as a public ice skating area.[3] The plaza is accessible by Calgary's CTrain system at the City Hall station.[3]
Due to its location, directly across from Calgary City Hall and at the head of major pedestrian thoroughfare Stephen Avenue, the plaza is often the site of protests.[4][5][6] The plaza has raised concerns with residents due to the large concentration of the homeless around the plaza, as well as a significant increase in violent crime and opioid overdoses.[7]
- ^ "This month in history: February 1988 - The Olympic Plaza". Calgary Herald. February 7, 2013.
- ^ Calgary salutes Flames[usurped], slam.canoe.ca. Retrieved November 30, 2006.
- ^ a b White, Ryan (November 18, 2022). "Olympic Plaza opens for skating on Sunday with free CTrain service for skaters". CTV News Calgary.
- ^ Williams, Radana (March 26, 2022). "Calgary police arrest 2 during ongoing weekend protests downtown". Global News.
- ^ Markus, Jade (February 10, 2023). "Calgary mayor threatens to fine protesters after drag event cancelled". CBC.
- ^ Randhawa, Rachneet (May 15, 2022). "Calgary women's rally protests right to abortion in Olympic Plaza". City News Calgary.
- ^ Herring, Jason (June 23, 2022). "'I don't feel safe': Crime and safety always top of mind for downtown residents". Calgary Herald.