Rocky View County administration, stakeholder and firefighters gathered for the official groundbreaking of Station 72, located just East of Balzac near the CrossIron Mills complex, Sept. 23.
Currently, firefighters are working out of a temporary location in the area, servicing Rocky View County, and assisting both Calgary and Airdrie Fire Services when required.
The planned 19,000 square-foot facility was funded by grant money from the Provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI).
It will be the first facility built at the site of the future Rocky View County Civic Campus.
“We have waited a long time to get this underway,” said County Reeve Lois Habberfield.
“I think we have some great plans for this campus, and this is the first building that will be erected here, so it is the beginning of great things to come.”
The construction is expected to take between 18 and 24 months, and will be designed and constructed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standards.
“We’re justifiably proud of the tireless work our firefighters do to protect the homes, businesses, and lives of those who live and work across our county,” said Habberfield.
“This new facility serves to further increase our capacity to safeguard our rapidly growing communities.”
The building will house eight firefighters and two emergency medical technicians, has two large doublewide apparatus bays and a multi-functional hose tower for training and hose drying.
“Today is about more than the construction of a fire station,” said Rocky View Emergency Services Director Ted Guard.
“It’s about taking the first steps in establishing a community centre for the people of Rocky View. Culturally speaking, fire halls tend to exists as hubs within any community. It is only fitting that Station 72 will be the first building constructed on our new Civic Centre Campus.”
The campus will be built on a 157-acre parcel of land. About 60 per cent of the area will be developed, with the other 40 per cent dedicated to open space and environmental reserves.
