Construction is underway on Calgary’s first facility combining a fire station and public library, a $34.2-million project intended to serve the growing communities of the city’s southeast.
The Walden Fire Station and Library is being built at 969 Walden Drive S.E. It will bring a permanent, two-bay Calgary Fire Department station and a new Calgary Public Library branch together in one building. The City announced the start of construction on Wednesday, October 21.
The project is expected to open in 2028. Its services are intended for residents of Walden, Legacy, Chaparral, Wolf Willow and neighbouring communities.
A new library and permanent fire station
The fire station will occupy approximately 15,000 square feet and will be designed for two fire apparatus bays. The library will cover approximately 11,000 square feet, with collections, children’s areas, technology, meeting rooms and spaces for programming.
The shared building will also have parking for staff and visitors. City officials say the combined facility is meant to make efficient use of public resources while expanding emergency response and library access in the area.
Alberta is contributing $4.1 million through the Local Government Fiscal Framework and the former Municipal Sustainability Initiative. The City puts the total estimated project cost at $34.2 million.
Emergency services to continue during construction
The new building is being constructed on the site of Walden’s temporary fire station, which has served the area since 2020.
According to the City, the temporary station will remain fully operational while the permanent facility is built. It will be removed after the new station begins operating.
The City says this will be Calgary’s first building to integrate a fire station and public library. Calgary Fire and Calgary Public Library have previously partnered on programming and public safety education, but not within a shared purpose-built location.