Keith Beggs purchased a brick at Calgary’s Olympic Plaza as a symbolic gesture of his commitment to his then-girlfriend, now wife, Barb. The bricks were part of a fundraiser ahead of the 1988 Olympics, with people able to personalize them for $19.88. Over the years, the bricks had eroded, cracked, and were slated for destruction as part of a $660-million overhaul of the plaza and adjacent performing arts complex. However, due to public outcry, the city decided to try and salvage some of the bricks, leading to hundreds of people lining up to retrieve their personalized keepsakes.
The director of parks and open spaces at the City of Calgary, Kyle Ripley, shared that there were about 8,000 requests to retrieve the bricks, with roughly 70% of them being successfully recovered. The bricks, which were originally placed almost 40 years ago, had become firmly stuck due to the strong mortar used. People who came to retrieve their bricks shared sentimental stories about their connections to the plaza, with one individual, Peter Soroka, picking up a brick with his parents’ names inscribed, a tribute to his late father. The salvaging of these bricks brought relief and excitement to those who had feared they would be lost forever.
The plaza overhaul, costing $70 million, will incorporate elements of the city’s Olympic legacy. Ripley mentioned that while Olympic Plaza was meant to be a temporary fixture for the Olympics, it has lasted decades and will continue to exist in a new form. The bricks, which were initially purchased as part of a fundraising effort, became a significant part of many people’s memories, symbolizing important moments and relationships. The bricks served as a reminder of the city’s history and the connections people had to the plaza.
The act of retrieving the bricks was seen as a meaningful gesture by the city to honor the sentimental value these bricks held for many individuals. The decision to salvage them was likely influenced by the emotional attachment people had to the plaza and the bricks they had purchased years ago. The success of recovering a large number of the bricks demonstrated the city’s commitment to preserving aspects of its history and the personal stories attached to these objects. The salvaging process also served as a way for people to reconnect with their past and reflect on the significance of the plaza in their lives.
The stories shared by those who came to retrieve their bricks highlighted the diverse experiences and memories associated with the plaza. From romantic gestures to family connections, the bricks represented various moments in people’s lives. The salvaging process brought closure and joy to many individuals who feared they would lose these tangible reminders of their past. The upcoming design reveal for the plaza overhaul will incorporate elements of the city’s Olympic legacy, ensuring that the spirit of the original plaza lives on in its new form. Overall, the salvaging of the bricks at Calgary’s Olympic Plaza was a heartwarming tale of preservation and connection to the city’s history.
