Calgary’s Foothills Stadium is being demolished as part of the city’s redevelopment plans for Foothills Athletic Park, a multi-purpose sports facility.

The beloved baseball venue housed the Calgary Cannons triple-A club, which competed in the Pacific League and, later, less prominent semi-pro and amateur teams that struggled to exist.

For Russ Parker, the former owner of the Cannons, watching the demolition was an emotional experience.

“It’s like attending a funeral,” he told CBC. “You don’t want to be there, but [you have to] pay it respect.”

Parker, a local entrepreneur, played key roles in bringing professional baseball to Calgary and getting the stadium built and renovated years afterward. Known as Mr. Baseball, he knew that the demolition was coming but still found it difficult to accept the reality.

“It’s been a tough few days. It has,” he told CBC.

In his interview with CBC, he recalled the stadium’s glory days, from sold-out games to welcoming crowds even in challenging weather conditions.

John Traub, who served as the Cannons’ general manager for 11 years, also expressed his sorrow over the stadium’s teardown.

“It’s sad. It kind of felt like a part of my soul was taken from me when I got the news the other day,” he told CBC.

Traub moved to New Mexico with the franchise and serves as the GM of the Albuquerque Isotopes, the team the Cannons became after relocating in 2002.

Joe McFarland, co-founder and host of the Alberta Dugout Stories podcast, was not surprised that the stadium met the wrecking ball.

“It’s sad, but at the same time, you kind of expected it,” he told CBC. “It’s been left to ruin for quite a while.”

But as the stadium’s physical presence is coming to an end, its legacy remains strong in the hearts and minds of former team officials, fans and players alike.

“Even though the ballpark’s going away, the memories never will,” Traub told CBC.

The stadium’s field will remain in place. It is expected to be included in the athletic park’s redevelopment.

Pictured: Calgary’s Foothills Stadium

Photo: Wikimedia Commons