Bowness Park to partially reopen Monday

A Calgary city councillor says Bowness Park will be open this winter for ice skating.

The park was closed after last year's devastating flood, but Coun. Ward Sutherland says that most of it will reopen to the public on Monday, Nov. 10. 

• Bowness Park won't reopen for some time, officials say
• No skating this season at Bowness Park lagoon, city says

"This is really good news," he said.

The east side of the park is still under construction and will be fenced off.

However, Sutherland says the entire west half of the park and the central area — including the deck overlooking the lagoon, the entrance road and parking lot — will be open.

Rob and Katherine Whitworth say they can't wait to check out Bowness Park's new look.

"I'm really impressed with what I see down here," said Rob Whitworth. "I think it's going to be a beautiful addition to Calgary."

Flood impact

The park has been under construction for more than two years.

It started with a revitalization project in 2012, but just as things were getting underway the park was destroyed by the 2013 flood.

"The park was under six to eight feet of water, and we were half way through the development at that point," said Doug Marter with the city's parks department. "That severely set us back. There's no question about that." 

The park also received extensive tree damage in a snowstorm this past September.

The idea now is to revamp the design, and a $10.5-million renovation has been taking place. 

"The parking when you come in is going to be much more functional than it ever was. It's very well defined," he said. "You're going to see some new infrastructure: the new building of the teahouse, the washrooms have been renovated, the access to the lagoon is much better [and] there's going to be a big deck area." 

But not everyone is thrilled with the new look, like Crystal Hedberg who grew up in Bowness.

"It feels too commercial," she said. "It feels like they've stopped the way it used to be. They went back to the nostalgic aspect with the cafe — love the cafe it's great — but the rest of it's kind of a disappointment."

Hedberg says she's willing to give it a chance though, and she will be able to get a better view on Monday.