Fifth annual Doors Open Calgary event returns Sept. 24

Being a tourist in your own town: That's how Alyssa Berry describes Doors Open Calgary.

"You get to re-discover, or newly learn, parts of the city you may pass by but don't know anything about," said the president of this year's citywide event, taking place Saturday Sept. 24.

Now in its fourth year, Doors Open YYC now bigger than ever

Awarded to notable residents, a key to the city used to be the symbol of a welcoming metropolis. As it turns out, things haven't changed that much.

Literally a way to throw open its doors to residents both notable and ordinary, the Doors Open YYC event Sept. 26 – 27 is part of an international event that provides people free access to buildings to create enthusiasm for heritage and contemporary architecture.

"Really, the whole point is to allow people access to buildings they wouldn't normally get to see," said organizing committee member Alyssa Berry.

Asphalt plant part of Doors Open YYC initiative

Imagine getting a chance to meet the chefs behind our roads – the cooks who concoct the cement that lie beneath our feet?

It's part of a unique behind-the-scenes opportunity for Calgarians, who will get a chance to visit the City of Calgary's asphalt plant as part of the fourth annual Doors Open YYC event later this month.

Located just off 25th Avenue S.E., the plant is one of 42 sites participating in the citywide initiative, scheduled for Sept 26 to 27.

"We felt that it was extremely important for Calgarians to showcase how the City of Calgary operates, how professional and qualified our staff are, how we spend taxpayer dollars and to show Calgarians and visitors how the City is conscientious of the environment while delivering service," said Slawa Gruszczynska, cultural diversity co-ordinator in charge of co-ordinating all of the City of Calgary sites for Doors Open YYC.

SAIT Polytechnic Art Smith Aero Centre joins Doors Open YYC lineup

At SAIT Polytechnic, there's a classroom that measures 21,000 square feet.

The technical institute's Art Smith Aero Centre is actually a hangar at the Calgary International Airport. Big enough for a Boeing 737, the space is used to teach three full-time programs in SAIT's School of Transportation: aircraft maintenance engineers technology, aircraft structures technician and avionics technology.

On Sept. 26, the centre will be open to public as part of the fourth annual Door Open YYC event.

Doors Open YYC running Sept. 27-28

The Doors' frontman Jim Morrison once said "there are things known and things unknown and in-between are the doors."

That couldn't be more true for Doors Open YYC, which returns to the city Sept. 27-28.

This represents the third incarnation of the local program, which originated in Europe 25 years ago as a way of promoting civic pride.

City's history lives on in Doors Open YYC site Fort Calgary

When the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) arrived at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow rivers in 1875, they likely didn't know their small fort would eventually evolve into a metropolitan hub for more than one million residents.

Yet 139 years later, Calgary has flourished to become one of the most influential cities in Canada – all thanks to a series of small wooden structures constructed by a federal order to force whiskey traders from the area.

Doors Open YYC making stops at F&D Scene Changes and Calgary Stampede

A 30-year-old business that transforms dreams into reality and a century-old fixture on Calgary's landscape are just two of the expected bright spots at Doors Open YYC later this month.

F&D Scene Changes and the Calgary Stampede grounds will be among more than three dozen sites featured in this year's local program, scheduled for Sept. 27-28.

F&D is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, having designed, fabricated and installed its products for theatre, television, movies, theme parks, museums and trade shows.

With flavours like frozen hot chocolate and salted caramel how can you not be tempted by the wares of Calgary's Fiasco Gelato, one of more than 30 sites included in this year's rendition of Doors Open YYC.

"We have so many amazing companies building great culture right here in Calgary, and we want to share it with the people," James Boettcher, chief idea officer with Fiasco said of the Doors Open experience.

WinSport Ice House allows for winter sport training all year long

With the thud of running feet and the unmistakable sound of blades on ice, the test sled rushes down the hill on a rainy summer day.

Even in Calgary, August and snow don't go hand in hand. Yet that isn't the case at the Ice House located in the Markin MacPhail Centre at WinSport Canada Olympic Park, one of more than three dozen sites to be featured in the third-annual Doors Open YYC program Sept. 27 – 28.