Lois Szabo Commons Open!

Lois Szabo Commons officially opened yesterday, and although we could not be there, we hungrily read the press and social media accounts of the park’s launch. The honour is well-deserved.

Lois with friends and family at the Park’s dedication ceremony. Photo: Marlene Hielema via Facebook.

Lois told me she received so many hugs from the assembled crowd that it may have counteracted her pandemic’s hug deficit! She was particularly chuffed to get a hug from Mayor Naheed Nenshi (two of them apparently).

Here is a media round-up!

City of Calgary Press Release

CBC: Beltline park opens to honour Lois Szabo, Calgary LGBTQ leader

660 News: Lois Szabo Commons opens, recognizes prominent leader in Calgary’s LGBTQ2S+ community

Global News: New Beltline community space named after Calgary LGBTQ2S+ leader opens

Calgary Sun: New Beltline park commemorates LGBTQ2S+ community leader Lois Szabo

Calgary Herald: New park in the Beltline commemorates local LGBTQ2S+ community leader Lois Szabo

Although the media accounts are similar, they each have a different photo of Lois! {My favourite is the Calgary Herald’s below}

A crowd gathered today to celebrate the opening of a new park in the Beltline that’s been named to commemorate Lois Szabo, one of the founders of Calgary’s first gay club, Club Carousel, which opened in 1970.#yyc https://t.co/RHeCX8N23A
— Stephanie Babych (@BabychStephanie) July 22, 2021

Lois Szabo Commons opens this week (corner of 9 St & 16 Ave SW) in honor of the last surviving founder of Club Carousel (YYC’s first gay club – 1970) a tireless organizer, volunteer, & member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Lois Szabo
Learn More:@yycgayhistory https://t.co/toy3eMVUgD pic.twitter.com/b8qSlDto0e
— Calgary Pride (@CalgaryPride) July 21, 2021

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A post shared by One Voice Chorus Calgary (@ovccalgary)

What an honour to help open Lois Szabo Commons today with @nenshi and Lois herself.

Lois Szabo Commons is located at 16 Ave and 9 St SW #yyc #calgary pic.twitter.com/4m5r8BIFU4
— Evan Woolley (@EWoolleyWard8) July 21, 2021

Today was a super day for my girl. While she was at camp playing Dene hand games, the Lois Szabo Commons park opened! We headed over to see it. #LGBTQ2IA+ #yyc #Calgary pic.twitter.com/2PhS9nHT0U
— Native Calgarian Podcast she/her/cis (@N8V_Calgarian) July 22, 2021

Mayor Nenshi along with Lois Szabo herself officially open Lois Szabo Commons, a space in the beltline. Szabo, a prominent voice and advocate of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Nenshi hopes at more spaces in the future are named after community builders. #yyc @660NEWS @citynewscalgary pic.twitter.com/Cti4Ho6Yyy
— Nick Blakeney (@CameraGuyNick) July 21, 2021

Congratulations Lois and thank you City of Calgary!

{KA}