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Calgary breaks ground on Walden fire station and library hub, a C$34.2M first
The City of Calgary has begun construction on the Walden Fire Station and Library, a C$34.2-million project and the city's first combined fire station and public library, set to open in 2028; the temporary station in service since 2020 stays fully operational during construction.
Why it matters
This is Calgary's first facility combining a fire station and a public library in a single building, and it brings a permanent fire station and a new library to the fast-growing southeast. The Ward 14 councillor also noted it is the first new public civic infrastructure in the ward since 1976.
Full report
The City of Calgary announced that construction is now underway on the Walden Fire Station and Library. With an estimated project cost of $34.2 million, the facility at 969 Walden Drive S.E. will include a 15,000-square-foot, two-bay permanent fire station and an 11,000-square-foot Calgary Public Library location serving Walden, Legacy, Chaparral, Wolf Willow and surrounding communities. It is anticipated to open in 2028.
The Government of Alberta contributed $4.1 million through the Local Government Fiscal Framework and the former Municipal Sustainability Initiative. Mayor Jeromy Farkas called the project "thoughtful infrastructure investment" that brings essential services together in one location and makes efficient use of public resources. Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams described it as "a prime example of creative thinking about municipal infrastructure."
Ward 14 Councillor Landon Johnston said this is the first public civic infrastructure built in Ward 14 since 1976 and hopes it starts many more reinvestments of property tax dollars in the ward. Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said the station will strengthen timely emergency response in Calgary's south; Calgary Public Library CEO Sarah Meilleur said it is the first time the long-standing partnership between Calgary Fire and the Library will be reflected in the building itself.
The facility is being built on the site of the existing Walden Temporary Fire Station. The temporary station has served the area since 2020 and will remain fully operational during construction, with uninterrupted emergency response; it will be removed once the permanent facility is operational.
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