'Island destination': CMLC announces master plan for St. Patrick's Island

(Calgary, Alberta) – St. Patrick’s Island has a master plan – a framework to guide its design and development that respects the natural and physical attributes of the island and promotes an ‘island destination’ for all. This, after thousands of Calgarians provided feedback through a year of public dialogue, meetings, open houses, surveys and a St. Patrick’s Island advisory committee.

“The response from Calgarians was overwhelming,” said Lyle Edwards, CMLC’s board chair. “A lot of people in this city are very passionate about how St. Patrick’s Island is developed.”
 
St. Patrick’s Island is a 30-acre island sitting in the Bow River across from East Village and adjacent to St. George’s Island, home to the Calgary Zoo. Based on Calgarians’ input, some key themes emerged for the development of St. Patrick’s Island:

• Avoid over-development of the island: maintain natural beauty while adding features to enhance interest and usability;
• Make the island unique: consider flexible and multi-use designs;
• Make it safe: address social and security issues, while ensuring amenities and programs are designed for safety;
• Make it an all-season destination;
• Provide balanced programming and amenities.

“The instinctive reaction that most people expressed is that the island be an oasis from the urban environment,” said Susan Veres, CMLC’s senior manager, communications and marketing. “There’s something within the human psyche that finds nature to be a necessary and calming influence in our life.”

Some proposed core developments on the island include: restoring the lagoon between St. Patrick’s Island and St. George’s Island; building a beach area; designing a watercraft launching and landing area; incorporating nature trails and boardwalks; delivering festival and performance spaces; and informal picnicking and play spaces.

The next step for St. Patrick’s Island is an open and competitive RFP process to identify qualified landscape architectural firms to interpret the master plan vision for the island. Following a robust identification process, CMLC will create a shortlist of proponents to prepare and advance detailed design concepts for the island.

A video detailing the master plan process and vision has been prepared by CMLC and is available online at www.calgarymlc.ca/island.

The East Village redevelopment is being stewarded by CMLC, a company of passionate, experienced placemakers who bring new energy to old neighbourhoods, create credibility and confidence, and inspire communities to build, grow and believe.