Doors Open YYC 2013 is Here!

September 25, 2013
By Cody Battershill

Doors Open YYC 2013 in Calgary This Weekend!

Calgary’s second annual Doors Open YYC is just around the corner! From September 27th to the 29th, some of our cities most significant historical and cultural spaces will be open to the public free of charge.

Whichever area your interests lay; whether it be history, sports, engineering, environment and architecture, Doors Open YYC is sure to appeal to your senses with behind the scenes tours and unique experiences at countless locations around town.

An International Concept

The concept adopted by Doors Open Calgary Association, a non-profit organization run by volunteers, is tried, tested and true. As a matter of fact, “Doors Open” is a very popular and successful event promoting civic centres in several different international communities.

Allowing the public to access significant cultural and historical facilities for no charge is a proven way to increase enthusiasm for any city, town or village. Locals get a VIP glimpse of what characterizes their homes and might even learn a thing or two they didn’t know before, resulting in stronger awareness and an overall heightened sense of community.

Event Locations

So let’s join together and get excited about living in the 5th Most Livable City in the World! On September 27th to the 29th, 2013, make sure you check out any of these locations and experience Doors Open Calgary 2013 the way it’s meant to be… for free!

Talisman Centre

Address – 2225 Macleod Trail South

Saturday and Sunday – 6:00am to 10:00pm

The Talisman Centre is one of Calgary’s best indoor recreational centres, and its distinguishable white roof has become as much a part of our cities skyline as the Calgary Tower.

KidSIM Simulation Centre at the Alberta Children’s Hospital

Address - 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW

Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

The new KidSIM Simulation Centre is a 3,600 square foot, state of the art facility at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

St. Mary’s Pioneer Cemetery

Address – Erlton Street and 32nd Avenue SW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Did you know that St. Mary’s Cemetery is home to some of the oldest gravestones in Calgary? Learn more about this 137 year old cemetery this weekend.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Address - #104, 800 Macleod Trail SE

Saturday – 10:00am to 10:30pm

Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Located in City Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art has been open for 25 years and is an integral part of the cultural arts scene in our city.

Burnsland Cemetery

Address – 3025 Spiller Road SE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Burnsland Cemetery establishment dates back to 1923 and is home to many fallen World War II Veterans who now rest in peace.

Taylor Family Digital Library (TDFL) and Nickle Galleries

Address – 410 University Court NW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Come and see a huge collecting of historical archives, rare manuscripts, fine art and more this weekend at the TDFL and Nickle Galleries!

Chinese Cultural Centre

Address – 197 1st Street SW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 6:00pm

I never knew that the Chinese Cultural Centre was modelled after the famous Temple Heaven in Beijing, China… did you? Learn even more this weekend at Doors Open YYC 2013!

National Music Centre

Address – 134 11th Avenue SE

Sunday – 1:30pm to 4:30pm

Come and see the National Music Centre in its original location before it moves over to its new facility in East Village.

Theatre Junction Grand

Address – 608 1st Street SW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

This historical theatre was the first cultural gift from the government to our city. Find out more at Doors Open Calgary 2013!

Calgary Civic Complex

Address – 800 Macleod Trail SE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Discover the past, present and future of the City of Calgary at the Civic Complex. The tour begins at the beautiful Lions Centre Street Bridge.

Traffic Management Centre

Address – 2808 Spiller Road SE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Learn how the City of Calgary manages all that traffic and more at the Traffic Management Centre!

Calgary Fire Training Academy

Address – 5727 23rd Avenue SE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 2:00pm and 2:00pm to 4:00pm

It’s not easy being tough and valiant like our Calgary firefighters. See them in action at the Calgary Fire Training Academy at Doors Open YYC 2013!

Union Cemetery

Address – 3025 Spiller Road SE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Established in 1891, the Union Cemetery has a long and interesting history - it was one of the first Protestant cemeteries in Calgary.

Calgary Tower

Address – 101 9th Avenue SW

Saturday and Sunday – Tours at 9:00am, 10:15am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:45pm (registration mandatory)

Come and see Calgary from a different view and learn more about the Evolution of the Calgary Tower this weekend!

McDougall Centre

Address – 455 6th Street SW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Where does the Alberta Premier work when she’s in Calgary? At the McDougall Centre! Get a first-hand look at Redford’s office at Doors Open Calgary 2013!

Memorial Park Library

Address – 1221 2nd Street SW

Saturday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Sunday – 12:00pm to 4:00pm

The Memorial Park Library is the first of its kind to open in Calgary. Built with sandstone, it was completed in 1912 and remains as one of our cities oldest cultural buildings.

CBC Calgary Broadcast Centre

Address – 1724 Westmount Boulevard NW

Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Have you ever wondered what goes into making news broadcasts? If this is you, you’ll definitely want to check out the CBC Broadcasting Centre.

Cspace King Edward

Address – 1720 30th Avenue SW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

It might be one of the last times this historic site remains in its original condition. Check it out!

Colonel Walker House

Address – 2424 9th Avenue SE

The Colonel Walker House is a historical building found amid the 36 acre bird sanctuary in Inglewood. For more information on event info and updates, be sure to check out Doors Open YYC on the web.

Canada Sports Hall of Fame

Address – 169 Canada Olympic Road SW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 5:00pm

This weekend you have the opportunity to view never seen artifacts and be given a behind-the-scenes tour of archives and collections. Cool!

Hillhurst Cottage School

Address – 455 12th Street NW

Saturday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Take a look into Calgary’s past before World War One at the Hillhurst Cottage School.

Dirtt

Address – 7303 30th Street SE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Dirtt Environmental Solutions is a company dedicated to creating environmentally friendly and sustainable interiors. See their innovative facilities this weekend!

Energy Environment Experiential Learning (EEEL)

Address – 750 Campus Drive NW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

If you love architecture, you will love the Energy, Environment, Experiential Learning building.

EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts

Address – 205 8th Avenue SE

Saturday and Sunday – 11:00am to 3:00pm

Learn more about Western Canada’s largest and Canada’s third largest performing arts centre this weekend!

Shepard Landfill

Address – 12111 68th Street SE

Daily tours at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm (1 hour)

There’s more to discover at the Shepard Landfill than just waste, see for yourself this weekend during Doors Open Calgary!

Ralph Klein Park

Address – 12350 84th Street SE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

This newly constructed building is located on one the largest man-made wetlands in Canada.

Fort Calgary

Address – 750 9th Avenue SE

Saturday and Sunday – 9:00am to 5:00pm

It’s where it all began for our city, at Fort Calgary in the East Village district. Learn more about our roots at Fort Calgary!

Lougheed House

Address – 707 – 13th Avenue SW

Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Located in Connaught, the Lougheed House is an elegant historical building with an interesting past.

Reader Rock Garden

Address – 311 25th Avenue SE

Saturday - 10:00am to 1:30pm

Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

See and learn about William Roland Reader’s 16 year transformation of a barren hill into a lush and beautiful natural setting.

Esker Foundation

Address – #444, 1011 9th Avenue SE

Saturday and Sunday – 9:00am to 3:00pm

Art lovers and eco-enthusiasts should love what the Esker Foundation’s gallery has to offer. Don’t miss it!

Glenmore Water Treatment Plant

Address – 1646 56th Avenue SW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm (tours every 30 minutes)

All of Calgary’s liquid waste comes to this water treatment plant. Get an insider’s view as to how this vast amount of fluid is processed and treated this weekend at Doors Open YYC 2013!

Oliver Bowen Maintenance Facility

Address – 3910 54th Avenue NE

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

Come and see where all those Calgary Transit and C-Train buses go for maintenance, storage and more!

SAIT Polytechnic

Address – 1301 16th Avenue NW

Saturday and Sunday – 10:00am to 4:00pm

There’s much to learn and see at SAIT’s 93 acre campus that is almost a century old… check it out!