Calgary asks fans to celebrate safely on Red Mile during Flames playoff run

The City of Calgary says it wants to “support safe celebrations” for the Flames’ upcoming Stanely Cup playoff run, whether that be at home, a bar or restaurant, the Red Lot, or along the Red Mile on 17th Avenue SW.

The City, Calgary Police Service (CPS), the Calgary Flames, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis, the 17th Avenue BIA, and the Community Associations of Beltline and Mount Royal have all come together to encourage everyone to be safe during the Red Mile experience.

Ben Brackett, with the City, says it wants to be sure people have fun without causing too much disruption.

“It’s all about being respectful of the community,” Brackett said. “The businesses in the area are being engaged and we want to make sure that everyone that heads down to 17th Avenue keeps in mind that it’s also a residential area, and respectful celebration is critical to everyone’s enjoyment.”

There are no planned road closures on 17 Avenue SW for the first round of the playoffs, and as such, the City says fans should stay off of the streets.

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Calgary also says to keep the alcohol at licensed establishments and smoking cannabis in public is not allowed. If you’re drinking, make sure to use public transit, a rideshare service, or a taxi so that you don’t drink and drive.

Parking bans will be in effect along 17 Avenue SW between 2 Street SW and 8 Street SW starting at 7 p.m. during home playoff games to help traffic flow more smoothly in the area.

The first two home games are Tuesday, May 3, and Thursday, May 5.

Brackett says these rules are subject to change if the Flames go deeper in the playoffs and more fans show up to celebrate.

“The plan is going to evolve through a series of meetings that the City of Calgary will be hosting to ensure that our response is effective to maintain public safety, but also not to overly tax the businesses and residents of the area,” Bracket said.

On home game nights, more CPS officers will be out along 17 Avenue SW to enforce the rules, and extra Calgary Transit service will be added to help support demand.

Clare Smart, District 1 Commander with CPS, says plans will be fluid throughout the series and if the Flames move further into the playoffs.

“It’s very hard to say what is going to happen tonight, what is going to happen in a week or two,” Smart said. “We have to look at each playoff game based on the crowd size, we have to look at the behaviour, the behaviour is going to be the biggest thing.”

Smart says police are focused on making sure people have fun but don’t get too rowdy.

“We do expect the citizens, the Calgary Flames fans, when they are out in public, to be acting respectfully,” Smart said. “We have to remember that this is a community of residents and when down there, we have to make sure that we are respecting each other.”