Doors Open Baring All

Offering Calgarians a behind the scenes glimpse of local sites, Doors Open YYC 2013 has announced this year's locations.

Taking place in conjunction with Alberta Culture Days, the free, threeday public event gives locals a chance to have behind the scenes access to parts of Calgary often never seen. After last year's inaugural event, Calgarians will have access to 12 sites in addition to other facilities located throughout the city. "Doors Open is a truly exciting way for Calgarians to experience their city," said Tim Mowrey with the City Clerks office. "And for us, it's a great opportunity to open our doors and demonstrate

our transparency, resiliency and innovation."

Sites available this year include the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant, Ralph Klein Park, Colonel Walker House and St. Mary's Cemetery.

"One of the sites we didn't get last year but got this year is the Glenmore Water Treatment Plant," said Corinne Lyall, president, Doors Open Calgary Association. "We think it's going to be a huge draw.

"It's really inspiring for people who enjoy architecture, science, arts and culture, engineering, all those things."

In 2004, the water treatment plant underwent a more than $200 million upgrade which covered water quality, capacity, process, environmental and safety. The plant treats 400 million litres of water per day.

"I think it's important so all Calgarians really get to understand all the different places that perhaps they didn't know about before, obviously some of the systems and processes that we might not be aware of," Lyall said.

Doors Open was initially started in France in 1984 and since then has spread into the United Kingdom and Canada. A release from the City said the event is successful in building civic pride, creating enthusiasm for heritage and contemporary architecture and promoting public places that build a collective sense of community.

Last year's event, which showcased some of the city's best arts and culture, sports and leisure, science and technology and heritage buildings in all four quadrants of the city drew the support of more than 200 volunteers and 16,500 visits.

This year's event runs Sept. 27-29. Some of the available tours require pre-registration due to limited space and availability. For more information, those interested can visit www.calgary.ca/doorsopen.

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