Calgary Fire Department breaks ground on N.W. multi-service facility and fire station
The Calgary Fire Department celebrated the start of construction on the new Royal Vista Multi-Service Facility and Fire Station 34 today. The new facility, which will also be home to Animal & Bylaw Services (ABS), allows the Fire Department to continue providing public safety to six growing northwest communities and support The City of Calgary in building neighbourhoods.
“We are dedicated to building great neighbourhoods in a well-run city,” said Mayor Nenshi. “When completed in 2016, this multi-service facility will help us do both by providing several valuable services to our citizens from this one building.”
The event at 16 Royal Vista Way N.W. included Mayor Nenshi, Ward 2 Councillor Joe Magliocca, Director of ABS Ryan Jestin and Fire Chief Steve Dongworth inside an excavator making the ceremonial first dig alongside Calgary fire crews.
“The number of emergency calls has increased in these surrounding communities over the years, alongside the increase in population,” said Councillor Magliocca. “And so today, I am pleased to see that a new, larger fire station, with capacity to provide the needed emergency response to the growing community, is on the way.”
Currently, the Royal Oak Fire Station 34 located on Royal Birch Hill provides primary emergency response to the communities of Arbour Lake, Citadel, Nolan Hill, Rocky Ridge, Royal Oak and Royal Vista. It has one bay to house a fire engine. The new Royal Vista Fire Station will replace Royal Oak with three apparatus bays as well as all the features of a full fire station.
The multi-service facility will be more than 300 square metres, with space for ABS and other City services. It will also have a 20-person meeting room for community members to foster connections among neighbours and between City employees and area residents.
“Along with our continued dedication to public safety, we take great pride in helping to make Calgary a healthy and green city,” said Fire Chief Dongworth. “The Royal Vista Multi-Service facility will meet LEED Gold standards and include features such as site irrigation, a green roof, and high efficiency water and light fixtures.”
The $17 million cost of the new facility, land, fire station, required apparatus and supporting equipment has been budgeted for with $10.3 million funded by The City of Calgary’s Community Recreation Levy and $6.4 million funded by the Province of Alberta’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative.
For more information on the Calgary Fire Department please visit www.calgary.ca/fire.