CALGARY OPENING ITS DOORS
Event explores city’s hidden spaces
Dozens of local businesses and organizations will provide free behind-the-scenes tours and experiences this weekend as part of the seventh-annual Doors Open YYC event. More than 40 locations will be open to visitors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, as part of the event that celebrates unique spaces, culture and enterprises in Calgary.
“We’re so excited about the lineup of venues we have for 2018,” says event president Josh White. “Doors Open allows the public to see behind the scenes and gain an appreciation of how these organizations create our culture and how they impact our city.”
One of the categories that some of these tours fall under is “amazing architecture.” Doors Open participants can choose to take in the architecture of buildings such as the 1894 Haultain School, the 1905 Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, the Riddell Library/ Learning Centre and Taylor Centre for Performing Arts at Mount Royal University.
Other locations opening their doors to visitors include the Baitun Nur Mosque, St. Mary’s University, the City of Calgary archives, fire halls, the ski jumps at Canada Olympic Park, the Pine Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant and Fiasco Gelato, the overall sponsor of the event.
“Doors Open YYC has brought a unique way for people to experience their city,” said White.
The event is based on a concept called Doors Open Days, which had its roots in France in the mid1980s. Organizers wanted to bring the community together by inviting the public into areas where visitors normally weren’t welcome and by showcasing heritage sites and architectural gems.
The idea spread throughout Europe, Australia and North America, as cities began realizing the event provided a perfect opportunity to gather people together to appreciate unique features of their home- towns. The first Canadian event was Doors Open Ontario in 2000.
In Calgary, this year’s event offers opportunities for every taste, whether an attendee is exploring the city solo, on a family outing or even planning a date.
“Through Doors Open’s partnership with the City of Calgary, we have had the opportunity to let Calgarians see how the city works in a way they were never able to before,” said event board member Simone Lee.
“Many of our repeat venues tell us that Doors Open days are their favourite days of the year. They are so proud to show off their spaces, products and contributions to our city,” said Lee. “There is so much in this city to discover.”
Go to: doorsopenyyc.org.