What is Doors Open YYC?

Have you ever wondered how gelato is made? Or how the Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show runs smoothly night after night for ten days in a row? Perhaps you’re curious how the Forensic Unit works within the Calgary Police service. These are all things that people wonder about, but they are often questions that get left unanswered. Well lucky for you, this information will be readily available in Calgary this coming weekend.

Doors Open YYC is an annual initiative that provides an ‘open door’ policy to certain buildings, companies, sites and areas around the city for residents to view the space and learn how it all works. This year on September 22 and 23, Calgarians get an insider’s view of over 40 buildings around the city and the opportunity to learn: how they were made, who works there and what purpose they serve in the city today. And the best part? It’s all absolutely free! The knowledgeable staff at each site will lead interested residents around the area, answering any and all questions you may have.

This event is not only fun for the whole family to enjoy a day out in the city but it’s also educational, providing a wide range of activities in an even wider array of industries. Go to the Olympic Oval to learn about the building’s construction in 1988 for the Calgary Winter Olympic Games or enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Choklat, Western Canada’s first craft chocolate maker who quickly grew to be one of the best chocolate companies in the world. Each site visit will include a variety of activities, whether it is a backstage tour, hands-on workshop, site walk or information session. These are great opportunities for you to learn about the building has to offer and allow you the opportunity to network within the industry with like-minded people. This is your chance to ask questions, get answers and learn a little bit more about this great city that we call home.

If you’re curious about this event, here is a small sample of the buildings, companies and sites open for viewing during the 2018 Doors Open YYC project:

• Southern Alberta Pioneers Memorial Building
• Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids
• Avatamsaka Monastery
• CJSW 90.9 FM
• Grow Calgary
• Aleppo Savon
• Global Calgary
• Fiasco Gelato
• Ski Jumps at Canada Olympic Park
• Silver Springs Fire Station #21
• Tool Shed Brewing Company
• The Knox United Church

And so many more! These businesses, institutions and local sites are opening their doors for you so that you can learn more about what they do and why they do it. Mark it on your calendar folks, this is an event that can intrigue the whole family for hours on end. Check out the full list of 2018’s Doors Open YYC participating buildings here so you can start planning your itinerary and learn something new this weekend!