South C-Train now open after flood damage

Calgary's south C-Train line reopened between Heritage and City Hall stations Wednesday morning after undergoing repairs for flood damage.

The announcement comes as Calgary moves into the final stretches of preparation for the 101st Stampede. The stretch of railway between downtown and the Stampede grounds sustained significant damage during the recent floods and it was uncertain whether it could be repaired in time for the event.

City officials also announced earlier Tuesday that downtown Calgary is open for business, 12 days after flooding devastated the city.

While power has been restored to most buildings, parking will be at a premium as some underground lots remain closed.

• Get the latest from CBC News on the Alberta flooding

The EPCOR and Civic Plaza parkades are both closed. These Calgary Parking Authority lots are operational and available for parking:

• City Centre Parkade.
• Centennial Parkade.
• James Short Parkade.
• Convention Centre Parkade.
• McDougall Parkade. (Shuttle service to street level is providedwhile the elevators are being repaired.)

The majority of WestParks parking lots are open, and monthly pass holders for Impark lots that are closed because of flooding can park in any other Impark lot if they display their decals.

Frustration in Mission

South of the citys core, some renters are growing frustrated with the uncertainty about their flooded buildings.

Hundreds of people living in Mission have been told they will be out of their homes for a month.

"Our home was fine. There was running water. We could flush the toilet. Just the lack of electricity and it seems strange that a few blocks away an entire rail system can be reconstructed and the Stampede can be put on and we're homeless," said Simon Paquin.

With no extended family in Calgary, and facing a tight rental market, Paquin said he and his wife need government help to find new accommodation.

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