CMLC and the City of Calgary Unveil a New Music Pavilion, A Gift from Quebec City
Today, the City of Calgary and Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC) – the organization leading the transformation of East Village into one of Calgary’s most sought-after addresses – are delighted to unveil a new Music Pavilion on RiverWalk near Fort Calgary, adding to the long list of public parks and gathering places they’ve developed in the Rivers District over the past nine years.
“For this latest public amenity – one that promises to heighten the appeal of downtown’s east end as an epicentre of entertainment, recreation and cultural vitality – we owe a sincere debt of gratitude to nos chers amis in Quebec City – Calgary’s sister city,” says Michael Brown, President& CEO, CMLC.
“In keeping with the wishes of Quebec City’s citizens, CMLC used Quebec City’s gift of $285,000 to construct a music pavilion near the banks of the Bow River between East Village and Fort Calgary. The pavilion, which we’re proud to unveil today, is a replica of the gazebo in a popular public gathering space in the heart of Quebec City.”
Octagonal in shape, the 7.5 x 7.5 metre pavilion provides about 450 sq ft of deck space. The 7.5-metre high structure is topped with a weathervane.
In 2008 – on the occasion of Quebec City’s 400th anniversary – The City of Calgary gave the citizens of Quebec City Do Re Me Fa Sol La Si Do – a sculpture by Canadian artist Joe Fafard. Identical sculptures can be found in downtown Calgary and on Boulevard Champlain along the banks of the St. Lawrence River. In response to this gesture, Quebec City intended to give Calgarians this new music pavilion to celebrate the Calgary Stampede’s 100th anniversary, but the 2013 floods delayed the start of the project.
“Just over a year ago – on July 2, 2015 – we shared with Calgarians the plans for a new public space we can all enjoy,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “Today, as Calgarians in every corner of this city prepare to celebrate the Calgary Stampede, I’m thrilled to join CMLC and our visitors from Quebec City in celebrating its completion and grand opening.”
“This music pavilion reflects our close cultural relationship with Calgarians,” said Quebec City Deputy Mayor Michelle Morin-Doyle. “Just as our own music pavilion brings the citizens of Quebec City together, we hope this new addition to your city will host cultural programming that nurtures stronger connections between Calgarians and your neighbours, your friends and the beautiful city you call home.”
Situated along the Jack & Jean Leslie RiverWalk, the new music pavilion takes advantage of a natural amphitheatre. East Village was selected as the site for the music pavilion through the collaboration of CMLC, Fort Calgary, The City of Calgary Parks office and The City of Quebec. Now that the pavilion is complete, it becomes the property of The City of Calgary and will be maintained by CMLC.
Imagined as a mixed-use, amenity-rich master-planned neighbourhood in the downtown core, East Village will be home to more than 11,000 residents upon completion in 2027. With local amenities like RiverWalk, St. Patrick’s Island, the New Central Library, National Music Centre and an urban shopping centre, East Village has become a highly desirable neighbourhood in Calgary’s downtown core.