City of Calgary Newsroom

Poppy Plaza Update and Remembrance Day Ceremonies

November 01, 2012 03:46 PM Category: Parks, Seniors
The Poppy Plaza, located on the corner of 10 Street and Memorial Drive N.W., is one of the many new public spaces to be created as part of the Landscape of Memory, in commemoration of Calgary’s fallen soldiers along Memorial Drive.
 
Phase one of the project included median and boulevard improvements along Memorial Drive from Centre Street to 14 St. N.W. The Soldier’s Memorial, located west of the Poppy Plaza site, was completed in fall 2010. The overall project is intended to pay honour to Calgary’s fallen soldiers and improve public spaces along this central corridor.
 
“Due to the early onset of winter weather we experienced recently, there was some slowing down of work at Poppy Plaza due to safety reasons, as can be expected,” explains Doug Marter, Parks Manager. “However, if weather cooperates, we do anticipate that we will have the plaza complete by the end of this year, with the finishing touches of landscaping completed in the spring.”
 
Poppy Plaza will be a significant public gathering place in memory of Calgarians who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of their fellow citizens. An official opening ceremony will be held in spring/summer 2013.
 
The City of Calgary would like to remind Calgarians of the variety of venues that will be hosting Remembrance Day services this year, including:
 
Calgary International Airport, Main Terminal Departures Level
10:30 a.m., Calgary International Airport Pipe Band and Honour Guard parade
10:40 a.m., Ceremony commences for airport employees and travellers who wish to participate.
 
Central Memorial Park Cenotaph, 4th Street and 11th Avenue S.W.
 
The Military Museums, 4520 Crowchild Tr. S.W.
Ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. There will be limited parking available on site in the field to the east of the Parade Square.  Parking is also available at the Flames Community Arena to the south.  Please dress warmly and plan to arrive early as past events have been well attended.  Coffee and hot chocolate will be available (in limited quantity).
 
Poppy Fund Crosses Ceremony along Memorial Drive
North side Memorial Drive, west of Centre Street.
 
Canadian Pacific Remembrance Day service, Gulf Canada Square, 401 – 9 Avenue S.W.
11 a.m.
 
Battalion Park, 3001 Signal Hill Dr S.W. (overlooking Westhills Towne Centre)
10:40 a.m. - Ceremony will centre on the monument at the bottom of the steps leading up to the Battalion numbers.  
 
There are also many services at Royal Canadian Legion Branches in Calgary, as well as other locations. 
 
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