Calgary city officials have charged four downtown businesses - all bars and lounges located along 17th Avenue SW, dubbed the "Red Mile" - with a total of 10 safety code violations.The charges relate to overcrowding and blocked fire exits during Friday night's NHL playoff game between the Calgary Flames and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
The public safety task force is laying the charges under the Alberta Safety Codes Act.
Capt. John Conley, spokesman for the Calgary Fire Department, said officials aren't taking any chances with safety.
"We have a few scenarios that have happened down in the States in the past couple of years of overcrowded bars and lounges, where they've had fires and people have died as a result of not being able to get out," Conley said. "That's why we have the safety codes in place, for the safety of the patrons inside."
Fire, police and city officials are working together to control the celebrations on the Red Mile, which runs West from the Saddledome, and will be out in force during every Flames game.
"As part of our public safety task force initiative, our objective is to make sure that the establishments ... as well as people who are enjoying the festivities from the Red Mile, are doing it in a safe fashion," Conley explained
I Live off the red mile and there was a game tonight so sadly no sleep for me....but calgary did win..yeay!! lol
I live 5 blocks from the Red Mile. Ya gotta love the atmosphere in this city during the playoffs. It's amazing. I love walking down 17th on gameday and seeing all the Flames jerseys and car flags. It's good to see that the police crackdown on the Mile hasn't spoiled the party. I was down there last Friday after game #1, and everybody seemed to be in a real festive mood and having a great time, despite the excessive police presence. Back in '04 I thought the cops did a terrific job and they even joined in on the fun occasionally, high-fiving fans as they walked by, etc... So far they seem to be doing a pretty good job, and as long as the majority of us remain civil and nobody acts like a drunken jackass, the Red Mile tradition will continue.
GO FLAMES!!!
I haven't had the chance to get to the Red Mile yet this year, but as soon as finals are done I'll be down there after every game. I love the Red Mile, it's walking/crawling distance from my house.
I was at the Red Mile when Calgary was in the finals last, and it was absolutely nuts...people were everywhere, and the atmosphere was just amazing. I do see where some ppl are coming from (ie: not being able to sleep), but that was definitely an experience I'll never forget.
tth_fan Wrote:I was at the Red Mile when Calgary was in the finals last, and it was absolutely nuts...people were everywhere, and the atmosphere was just amazing. I do see where some ppl are coming from (ie: not being able to sleep), but that was definitely an experience I'll never forget.
And it'll only get better the deeper the Flames go in the playoffs. If they win the first round, it's gonna get pretty crazy down there.
i live about 4 blocks or so from it, and i still havnt had a chance to go down to watch a game...sniff sniff...
well i do know if they keep winning im sooo going to get less sleep, as my back alley is home for drunk flamer fanns who feel the need to ralph at like 3 am...
BUT
im not complaining....
[quote="brown_eyed_girl"] who feel the need to ralph at like 3 am...
That is by far the funniest thing I've heard all day...ralph
In Vancouver, we call our equivilent of the Red Mile: All of Downtown.
In Calgary, we have a team in the playoffs....
brown_eyed_girl Wrote:i live about 4 blocks or so from it, and i still havnt had a chance to go down to watch a game...sniff sniff...
well i do know if they keep winning im sooo going to get less sleep, as my back alley is home for drunk flamer fanns who feel the need to ralph at like 3 am...
BUT
im not complaining....
Oooh, next time I'm drunk downtown I'll make sure to stop by and puke in your alley.
aaronck Wrote:In Calgary, we have a team in the playoffs....
ZING! :thumb:
aaronck Wrote:In Calgary, we have a team in the playoffs....
:nooooo ..that hurts!!
You make the playoffs twice in 10 years, I guess you have a need to celebrate :lol:
direwolf74 Wrote:I live 5 blocks from the Red Mile. Ya gotta love the atmosphere in this city during the playoffs. It's amazing. I love walking down 17th on gameday and seeing all the Flames jerseys and car flags. It's good to see that the police crackdown on the Mile hasn't spoiled the party. I was down there last Friday after game #1, and everybody seemed to be in a real festive mood and having a great time, despite the excessive police presence. Back in '04 I thought the cops did a terrific job and they even joined in on the fun occasionally, high-fiving fans as they walked by, etc... So far they seem to be doing a pretty good job, and as long as the majority of us remain civil and nobody acts like a drunken jackass, the Red Mile tradition will continue.
GO FLAMES!!!
I was down there for a bit last friday as well. Definitly a festive mood and all seemed alright for the most part with the stronger police presence. I just don't understand how they hope to keep everyone on the sidewalks assuming we go deep in the playoffs.
Definitly a cool thing in 04' though to have that many people partying in one place and not have any major problems. The whole town's pumped up about the flames, it can only be a good thing for the city. :thumb: