Calgarians wanting to send warm wishes to the country’s Olympic athletes can save themselves a trip to South Korea by visiting the East Village wishing wall during the Games.
Until Feb. 25, the more than 17-metre-long wall will be on display for Calgarians to write messages to Olympians competing at the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The wishing wall is the creation of the Calgary Municipal Land Corp. (CMLC), the developer behind Calgary’s East Village.
“What we did was repurpose an existing sign into a . . . wishing wall or message board,” said Clare LePan, director of marketing and communications for the CMLC. “We encourage all visitors to stop by the wall and write their messages — it’s a collaborative community activity.”
LePan said markers are provided at the wall for Olympic well-wishers to write their messages.
A snow covered well wisher writes a message to Canada’s Olympic Athletes in South Korea on Feb. 8, 2018.
East Village celebrated the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics by hosting Hayley Wickenheiser following her return from the Games. Adding to the East Village’s Olympic esthetic, St. Patrick’s Island has been home to a free pop-up curling rink for the past two winters.
The wishing wall was formally opened with a prayer circle with representatives from the Tsuut’ina First Nation, Stoney Nakoda First Nation and Piikani First Nation. Bad weather prevented members of the Metis Nation, the Siksika First Nation and Kainai First Nation from attending the event.
On Twitter: @RCRumbolt