A formal yet flexible gathering space, designed to host major city moments, performances, and community events, supporting a wide range of programming while keeping the plaza open and adaptable for everyday use.

A large open lawn space created to support informal, everyday enjoyment, including relaxation, picnics, and medium‑scale community gatherings, balancing passive recreation with event flexibility.

Anchored by an overhead canopy that provides shade, comfort, and a clear destination for gathering, this area creates a seamless connection between the plaza, the Eau Claire Promenade, the Bow River, and Prince’s Island. Planters and seating are intentionally arranged to soften the transition from the urban plaza to the natural river edge, blending downtown energy with the riverside landscape.

A multi purpose and flexible “street” that links the urban plaza with green spaces to the east and the Eau Claire & Bow River Lumber Company building, supporting markets, festivals, and everyday movement through the site.

A multi‑use pathway along the west side of the plaza that improves accessibility and movement through the site, connecting north–south routes and linking the plaza to the RiverWalk pathway along the Bow River’s south bank.

A new play area designed to encourage inclusive, unstructured play, featuring both urban and nature‑inspired elements that invite exploration, creativity, and social interaction for all ages and abilities.

Built for the 1988 Winter Olympics, the arch stood at Eau Claire Plaza for 33 years. Its restoration preserves a recognizable piece of Calgary’s sporting legacy, completed with the guidance of the original architect Fredrick Valentine, and now marks a welcoming gateway to Market Street in the northeast corner of the site.

A mist‑based water feature serves as a cooling and playful gathering point during warmer months, while remaining accessible for all ages and abilities. The system uses minimal water and no chemical treatment, and in winter, integrated lighting transforms the space into a welcoming focal point year‑round.

A playful sand beach creates a direct sensory connection to the Bow River, marking the transition from the plaza to the Eau Claire Promenade. Designed to invite pause and relaxation, the space includes soft sand, comfortable seating, and shaded areas that offer an escape within the downtown core.

This historic building is the last surviving structure from the Eau Claire & Bow River Lumber Company, once the largest lumber supplier in the Northwest Territories. The mill closed in 1945 after 59 years of operation. As part of the plaza redesign, the building has been restored and sensitively expanded to support future uses, preserving its heritage while contributing to the long‑term vitality of the site.