Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays Ward 12!
I find myself anticipating the holidays more than I can remember in recent memory. This year has had its fair share of highlights and challenges and I am looking forward to some rest and quality time with loved ones.
On the highlights side of the ledger, I am excited to share details in 2024 about the economic and housing opportunities that are coming in our City and Ward. I have had the privilege of contributing to a regional economic development conversation called Prairie Economic Gateway which stands to be an important economic driver in our City and region. On the housing front, Ward 12 continues to welcome some of the most complete and connected communities and the housing strategy, Home is Here, will begin to move forward in earnest.
While The City moves forward with work important to our collective future, I am mindful of the financial realities facing many. I would encourage you to read my blog on budget this year 2023 Adjustments - Evan Spencer for Ward 12 and reach out to discuss further. You can reach my office by emailing [email protected].
I am grateful for the ongoing partnership with the amazing people of Ward 12. The challenges we are facing are not insurmountable as we face them together. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to thoughtfully engage with me and my office around those challenges and offered their feedback and support.
I hope that your holiday season is full of joy and gratitude.
Evan Spencer
Holiday Season 2023:
Things to do
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with fireworks and music
Ring in 2024 with a midnight fireworks show launched from Prince’s Island Park. Watch the fireworks from any location with a view of the park or via livestream at Calgary.ca/NYE. Tune in to CJSW 90.9 FM at 11:55 p.m. for a blessing from Indigenous Elder Clarence Wolfleg, followed by a countdown to midnight with Mayor Jyoti Gondek and the accompanying fireworks soundtrack.
What else can you do:
The outdoor public skating rink at Olympic Plaza will be open at 10 a.m. and skating hours will be extended to midnight.
Check out VisitCalgary.com to learn about local events and activities happening near you.
Free public skating
Join us over the holiday break for some free public skating.
Boxing Day: Dec. 26, 1 – 2:15 p.m.
Frank McCool Arena (1900 Lake Bonavista Drive S.E.)
Optimist/Blunden Arenas (5020 26 Avenue S.W.)
Hendry/Viney Arenas (814 13 Avenue N.E.)
New Year's Day: Jan. 1, 1 – 2:15 p.m.
Murray Copot Arena (6727 Centre St. N.W.)
Rose Kohn / Jimmie Condon Arenas (502 Heritage Dr. S.W.)
Hendry/Viney Arenas (814 13 Avenue N.E.)
Check our arena rules and regulations before joining us. Equipment rentals are not available.
Getting around
Calgary Transit
We will have adjusted service for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Transit service is free this New Year’s Eve, courtesy of TD.
For more details including customer service, Calgary Transit Access, and On Demand hours, visit https://www.calgarytransit.com/content/transit/en/home/news/new-years-eve.html
| Monday, Dec. 25 | Buses and CTrains operating on a Sunday level of service. On Demand service operating on Sunday schedule and level of service. |
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Tuesday, Dec. 26
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Buses and CTrains operating on a Sunday level of service. On Demand service operating on Sunday schedule and level of service. |
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Sunday, Dec. 31
Transit service is free on New Year’s Eve, courtesy of TD. |
CTrain: On Demand service operating on Sunday schedule and level of service.
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Monday, Jan. 1
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Buses and CTrains operating on a Sunday level of service. On Demand service operating on Sunday schedule and level of service. |
Road closures
For traffic safety during the fireworks, Crescent Road N.W. from 4th Street N.W. to 1st Street N.W. will be closed from 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2023, to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2024.
Parking
Christmas Day (Monday, Dec 25), Boxing Day (Tuesday, Dec 26) and New Year's Day (Monday, Jan 1): Parking is free in on-street ParkPlus zones. Weekend rates will apply at all Calgary Parking parkades and surface lots. Regular rates will be in effect at Calgary Zoo, TELUS Spark and Heritage Park. Our Contact Centre and Impound Lot will be closed on Monday, Dec 25 and Monday, Jan 1.
For more information, please visit Calgary Parking.
Around the house
Blue, Black and Green Cart collection
There are no changes to cart collection services this year for single-family homes.
Landfill hours
Landfill hours and locations are available on calgary.ca/landfill. Hours for the holiday season are as follows:
| East Calgary | Spyhill | Shephard | |
| Sunday, Dec. 24 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
|
Monday, Dec. 25 Christmas Day |
CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
|
Tuesday, Dec. 26 Boxing Day |
OPEN 6:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
OPEN 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
OPEN 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Sunday, Dec. 31 | CLOSED. | CLOSED | CLOSED |
|
Monday, Jan 1, 2024 New Year’s Day |
CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Tuesday, Jan 2 |
OPEN 6:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
OPEN 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
OPEN 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Recreation Facilities
We are adjusting our hours of operation over the holiday break. Find full details at calgary.ca/pools
Acadia Aquatic & Fitness Centre (9009 Fairmount Dr. S.E.) Closed: Dec. 22 – Jan. 1
Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre (4812 14 Ave. S.E.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Canyon Meadows Aquatic & Fitness Centre (89 Canova Rd. S.W.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Foothills Aquatic Centre (2915 24 Ave. N.W.)
Closed for repairs: Dec. 15 – Jan. 21
Glenmore Aquatic Centre (5330 19 St. S.W.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25 – Jan 1
Inglewood Aquatic Centre (1527 17 Ave. S.E.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25 - Jan. 1
Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre (1919 29 St. S.W.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Renfrew Aquatic & Recreation Centre (810 13 Ave. N.E.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Shouldice Aquatic Centre (5303 Bowness Rd. N.W.)
Closed: Dec. 23 - Jan. 1
Hours of operation increase from Jan. 2 – 21 to support the temporary closure at Foothills Aquatic Centre.
Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre (1520 Northmount Dr. N.W. )
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre (6715 Centre St. N.W.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 7:30 – 11 a.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Southland Leisure Centre (2000 Southland Dr. S.W.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Village Square Leisure Centre (2623 56 St. N.E.)
Open: Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 & Jan. 1
Calgary Soccer Centre (7000 – 48 Street S.E. )
Closed: Dec. 24 – Jan. 1
North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres
Closed: Dec. 16 – Jan. 2
Arenas
Closed: Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1 except free public skate times.