Calgary breaks ground on $34.2M Walden fire station and library

Construction is underway on the Walden Fire Station and Library, a $34.2 million project at 969 Walden Drive S.E. that the City of Calgary says will be its first integrated fire station and public library. The facility is anticipated to open in 2028.¹

The building will house a permanent two-bay fire station and a new Calgary Public Library location serving Walden, Legacy, Chaparral, Wolf Willow and surrounding communities. It is being built on the site of the existing Walden Temporary Fire Station, which has served the area since 2020.¹

The temporary station will remain fully operational during construction, the city said, ensuring uninterrupted emergency response while the permanent station is built. Once the new facility is operational, the temporary station will be removed.¹

The Government of Alberta contributed $4.1 million toward the project through the Local Government Fiscal Framework and the former Municipal Sustainability Initiative. "Through Municipal Affairs’ more than $4 million investment, our government is proud to help create family-focused spaces that will improve livability and inspire Calgary citizens long into the future," said Dan Williams, Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs.¹

Mayor Jeromy Farkas said the project brings essential services together in one location. "By bringing essential services together in one location and making efficient use of public resources, we're creating lasting value for residents and helping build thriving communities," he said.¹

Landon Johnston, councillor for Ward 14, said the project is the first public civic infrastructure built in the ward since 1976. "It represents the start of what we hope to be many, many more examples of reinvestment of property tax dollars into Ward 14 in the years to come," he said.¹

Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said the station will strengthen emergency response in Calgary's south. "As these communities continue to grow, investments in emergency services help us maintain the high standard of service Calgarians expect," he said.¹

The library will include collections, children's spaces, technology, meeting rooms and programming space. Sarah Meilleur, CEO of Calgary Public Library, said Walden is the first location where the library's partnership with Calgary Fire will be reflected in the building itself.¹

"Walden Fire Station and Library brings long-needed, important civic infrastructure to a community who will now have a place to gather and connect together," Meilleur said.¹