Here’s a retail complex that is no more and since we photographed it last spring has been demolished to make way for new development. We’re exploring Stadium Shopping Centre, in the community of University Heights in Calgary, weeks before it was to be leveled. Dating from the early 1960s, everything was long closed before our visit, but the parking lot remained in use. With construction at the Foothills Hospital across the road, spaces there were at a premium so for one, it handled overflow when things got busy.
Stadium was a a pretty typical neighbourhood strip mall with an anchor store and supporting specialty shops. Here one could buy all the things needed day to day and tenants over the years included grocery stores, hair salons, bakeries, meat shops (the famous Bon Ton), movie rental places (remember those?) eateries of all kinds, a corner drug store, a pub and others. We started scanning old phone books (a big rabbit hole for us) and the list of businesses that operated here once could fill this post to bursting. In any case, you could get pretty much everything you needed in one easy convenient location and there in was its key to success.
Gonesville: Stadium Shopping Centre – nothing spared. Out there with Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
But it became old and tired, the main tenant (a supermarket) moved away and business dropped off as result. In times like that, there’s only one solution: redevelopment! That’s in full swing on the publishing of this article.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
The shopping centre is named after nearby McMahon Stadium with the neighbourhood taking its title from the University of Calgary, which it borders to the north. Stadium Shopping Centre fronts on busy 16th Avenue, aka the Trans-Canada Highway, although we bet lots of people passing through don’t use this inner-city route and instead take the ring road to bypass congestion.
Old aerial photos from the 1940s show the land here mostly open pasture with a few scattered ponds, some buildings and what look to be corrals. Another air photo from the late-1970s shows the Wendy’s Burger joint under construction, making it the newest building here. Wendy’s was flanked by the Keg and Redwater Grille, just two other eateries that called the Stadium Shopping Centre home.
Most prominent in the complex is a large arched roof section that tells us a “Marina” style Safeway, was once located here. And it was the anchor store. This distinctive style of roof was the grocery chain’s signature design back in the day and even with renovations over the years, there’s no denying what this one was. The design was innovative and distinctive in look, allowing for a large open space free of supports, thereby affording the interior a modern airy feel. These unique structures were built in large numbers across North America in the 1960s and there’s still a few of them left here in the city (we’re down one with the loss of this example). Some in Calgary still operate as grocery outlets (but not as Safeways).
This design was a great way to distinguish themselves from the competition, but today the Safeway firm takes the generic building approach and nothing they do in that regard stands out. They kind of lost their way a while back and are just another store now. At one time they dominated the industry but under present ownership function as re-badged IGA/Sobey’s.
One day we’re going to have to do an inventory of former Safeway buildings with Marina Roofs (Rooves?) in our area. Like we don’t have enough on the go!
It’s not clear when this Safeway moved out, but the 1980s is hinted at. In more recent times Moose McGuire’s Pub occupied the eastern half of this part of the building. A quick search shows they found a new home in another part of town. Whoa, thought we almost lost one there.
That Stadium Shopping Centre sign is so ’90s and probably marks the last time the complex had a make over. Neon! And that checker board pattern! Hold tight for a sec, my beeper’s gone off.
Separate from the complex and in behind, a most interesting church and something we might have to check out sometime. We has a soft spot for quirky ’60s era architecture.
Towering over everything, even though it’s way over there, it’s the Calgary Cancer Centre building at the Foothills Hospital. A massive undertaking, it won’t be completed for a few years and has a budget with so many zero it’d crash most computers.
The new Stadium Centre (not sure if it’ll have a different name) will be a mix of retail and residential. Think condo towers and coffee shops – the world demands more Starbucks! They also mention a hotel might be part of the project, which is curious since it seems Calgary already has an oversupply of rooms. Not sure the angle here.
Last time we passed the property it was a big gaping pit and now Stadium Shopping Centre lives on only in memory and here in a few snapshots. See if you can spot the Mighty BIGDoer-mobile.
Ye I remember it. I was going to school and there was a big flame and my friend had to go to the hospital. He was in the hallway with one of them oxygen tanks n that with a fireman. Then the school evacuated to the childrens hospital. My friend was fine but at first I was scared cuz the firman ain’t answer me just waved me away when asked if my friend was good.
Reminds me of the Miracle Mart stores in Ontario which had even higher arched roofs. The architects office I worked for spent a lot of time coming up with ideas to dress them up to tie in with other developments.
We had a Marina roof Safeway in Chilliwack when I used to live there built in 1961 but was abandoned in 2006 and eventually torn down 10 years later. I used to go to that Safeway when I was going to Van Horne school years ago.
Lakeview..which then was IGA, which then was Sobyes, which then is now IGA. Also the torn down safeway in Marda Loop 34thave and 17st, Braside across from the leisure centre..etc etc.
I look forward to seeing that inventory of Safeway roofs! I wish new builds were unique instead of boring boxes. The downtown Red Deer Safeway is interesting; have you checked that one out?
The Safeway project is on the to-do list (a BIG to-do list) and coincidentally we scouted out a couple of them just the other day. They put a little more effort into the design of that Red Deer Safeway than is typical now – yes too many of these places are now featureless boxes.
I worked at IGA in Rocky Mountain House through high school and the at building was similar to the above Safeway. Nice high ceilings and full front windows. However IGA moved into a new ‘box’ on the edge of town and became Sobeys. A franchise of the Brick is in the building now so at least it’s still there.
We used to do something called the "pointless challenge" 🤪 and miss those days. It was so much silly fun and often frustrating as heck. In these we'd invite people to send in random photos of obscure locations, but not give any information, and then we'd track where it was and shoot something similar.
Most of these came from old family collections, as was the case here. Anyone up to resurrecting the series?
In hindsight, why didn't we pose someone in our shot?
Pointless: “Devoid of meaning (or) senseless” Merriam-Webster.
If you like what we do and want to support this ongoing project (12 years now), go here: https://www.BIGDoer.com/help-the-society/ Thanks to Connie for making this post possible.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: ca1970 and 2014. Posted by Connie.
Captured on a cold, cold day many years ago. We've been passing this old house for decades and it's little changed in that time. At some point we expect to drive by and it'll be gone.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
When retired old railway cars usually get cut up for scrap. Sometimes, however, they find their way into the hands of the general public or whomever. Flat cars make good bridges, and boxcars can be transformed into storage buildings and the like. Case in point here. We see them used like this often enough and in this case, it's part of a corral.
Incidentally, this boxcar dates from 1950 and this was found by tracing the old road number, which is still visible.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
This central Alberta racetrack was never a commercial operation but instead just a fun place for car enthusiasts in the area to get together. Early '70s or thereabouts and it only lasted a few years. Even thought it's been abandoned for that long, there is no doubt what was here.
You know we like the the obscure stuff and this one fits the bill perfectly. Found by accident while backroad cruising and the history comes thanks to local car guy Mike.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
On top of little Myrtle Mountain in the Kimberley (BC) Nature Park.
There's some good wilderness fun to be had here and nice views as you can see, but the real reason we came is mining history. The whole area near the ski hill was extensively worked over a century ago and we were looking for evidence of this. We didn't find much in the area searched, but it's a big chunk of property and we hope to return to cover more ground again soon. Of all the subjects we cover, mining related is a favourite.
Still, it was a good hike and that can't be bad. Look to the comments for more info 👇.
Exploring nature and history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
It's a strange curiosity in south Kananaskis, there on a hillside and we have no idea who created it. We asked around and no one's completely sure about its history. In the past it showed the Canada 100 logo from 1967 but in 2017 someone changed it to reflect the country's 150th.
That's our friend Emily from DanOCan.com having a look.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
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Y’all forgot to mention the fire that happened, only reason it got remodelled cuz everybody would always use it, the fire just ended it fam.
Yes, we saw evidence of that but for the sake of brevity, didn’t mention it. But we’re glad you did. We’re already way too long winded. Thanks!
Ye I remember it. I was going to school and there was a big flame and my friend had to go to the hospital. He was in the hallway with one of them oxygen tanks n that with a fireman. Then the school evacuated to the childrens hospital. My friend was fine but at first I was scared cuz the firman ain’t answer me just waved me away when asked if my friend was good.
WOW! That’s close to home for you. Thanks again.
Awesome shots!
Thanks for all your support.
I see the Brentwood Safeway is due to close very soon and reopen in the fall as a Fresco
Interesting…
Mayland Heights too.
The Family Foods place.
Reminds me of the Miracle Mart stores in Ontario which had even higher arched roofs. The architects office I worked for spent a lot of time coming up with ideas to dress them up to tie in with other developments.
Wow, those Miracle Marts did have some exaggerated arches. Never heard of the firm before till now.
We had a Marina roof Safeway in Chilliwack when I used to live there built in 1961 but was abandoned in 2006 and eventually torn down 10 years later. I used to go to that Safeway when I was going to Van Horne school years ago.
These Safeways were everywhere and the arch design instantly memorable.
I remember that shopping centre. Use to go there.
Those neighbourhood strip malls were pretty convenient but seem to be going the way of the Dodo.
So many of those signature ‘gull wing’ Safeway stores have gone the same route as our beloved wooden grain elevators.
Stuff from the old days is vanishing fast.
I used to ride the mechanical horse in front of the store back in the ’60s.
Awesome!
Acadia had one.
I think the same could be said of every Calgary neighbourhood. Safeway stores were everywhere and they commanded a huge chunk of the market back then.
I feel like there was one off of 37th in Glamorgan too right?
Yes, it’s empty now but was last a fitness place.
Ogden had one as well.
Yes, by the old Ogden Hotel. It was latter a bingo hall as I recall before being torn down.
Bowness had the horse and a helicopter for a nickel
Every Safeway seemed to have a kid’s ride out front.
Lakeview..which then was IGA, which then was Sobyes, which then is now IGA. Also the torn down safeway in Marda Loop 34thave and 17st, Braside across from the leisure centre..etc etc.
You can still see the arch of the Lakeview IGA from the back alley.
The Brentwood store still has this roof line, it’s just covered up, but visible on the inside.
And from the back of the building too.
Was it torn down due the Billingsgate Fish Market fire from a few years ago?
I think the writing was on the wall even before that event.
The Brentwood store still has this roof line, it’s just covered up, but visible on the inside.
You can see it from the backside too. That’s so cool!
I work in one on 22nd street west in Saskatoon, big old arched beams in the roof.
The auto parts place?
The sky!
Shout out to Mother Nature for making the shots the best they could be.
I used to shop at this Safeway in the late 1980s, early 1990s.
That’s so cool!
I look forward to seeing that inventory of Safeway roofs! I wish new builds were unique instead of boring boxes. The downtown Red Deer Safeway is interesting; have you checked that one out?
The Safeway project is on the to-do list (a BIG to-do list) and coincidentally we scouted out a couple of them just the other day. They put a little more effort into the design of that Red Deer Safeway than is typical now – yes too many of these places are now featureless boxes.
I worked at IGA in Rocky Mountain House through high school and the at building was similar to the above Safeway. Nice high ceilings and full front windows. However IGA moved into a new ‘box’ on the edge of town and became Sobeys. A franchise of the Brick is in the building now so at least it’s still there.
Yes, that place. Now I remember.