by Your BRCA Beautification Committee
The City of Calgary officially approved the names of eight of our small parks in 2023. This year we have been working on plans to design a plaque for our oldest and one of our most beloved parks, now formally named Normie Kwong Park. Our efforts are coming to fruition this fall as we plan to reveal the plaque and host a celebration with Normie’s family and the neighbourhood.
Normie Kwong was born in 1929 and grew up in Riverside. His parents, Lily and Charlie, were immigrants from China. They owned and operated the Riverside Cash and Carry for many decades. Normie attended Riverside Bungalow School and Langevin Junior High School. He emerged from the playfields of Bridgeland as a strong athlete and when he was 18 years old, he earned a position with the Calgary Stampeders. In 1948, he became the first Chinese Canadian to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the youngest player to win a Grey Cup. He went on to win three more Grey Cups with the Edmonton Eskimos. After retiring from the CFL, he married, and he and his wife Mary started a family. Normie then began work in real estate.
In the 1980s Normie was one of the owners who brought the Flames hockey team to Calgary. He returned to football in the 1990s when he became General Manager for the Stampeders and was credited with recruiting Wally Buono to coach and revitalize the team. Normie was also a philanthropist who was involved in numerous initiatives.
Normie Kwong’s achievements did not stop there. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998 and in 2005 he was appointed the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, becoming the first person of Chinese heritage to hold the position in Alberta. He served the people of Alberta until 2010, welcoming Queen Elizabeth during her 2005 visit.
Normie was known for his understated manner and sense of humour. He was a family man who supported his four sons in all their endeavours. His success in life could be attributed to his quiet determination and approach to life. Normie passed away in 2016.
Wow, what a lifetime of achievement for a Bridgeland-Riverside lad!
Normie Kwong was honoured with a ‘Heritage Moment’, released earlier this year. You can see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RMv7tSYl3Y.
We are so proud to be acknowledging Normie Kwong with the naming of our park.
The celebration is set for the afternoon of Saturday, October 12. We’ll be working with the Parks Department to have the park in tip-top shape. Watch for details in next month’s Bridges newsletter and on our BRCA webpage. Please plan to join us.
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