City breaks ground on NE Calgary multi-development

A new multi-service development in Calgary’s northeast is one step closer to reality after a ground-breaking ceremony Wednesday.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Coun. Raj Dhaliwal, and Fire Chief Steve Dongworth were on scene in the community of Cornerstone to mark the start of a project that will include a fire station, a household hazardous waste drop-off, and eventually, non-market housing.

Phase One, which includes the fire hall and the hazardous waste drop off, comes at a cost of $16 million.

The two-bay Cornerstone Fire Station will replace the nearby temporary one-bay Skyview Fire Station, according to the city. It goes on to say the new building is a milestone in Calgary’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and accommodate the city’s expanding needs.

“The Cornerstone Multi-Service Development reflects our commitment to integrated civic facility planning and our dedication to serving Calgarians better,” Gondek said. “Featuring a fire station and future affordable housing, this development will lower construction costs and increase operational efficiencies.

“This is a responsible investment for our city’s future, one that will yield dividends in public safety, environmental sustainability, and community prosperity.”

Furthermore, the city says multi-service developments are fiscally responsible and reduce the over cost of new facilities by putting more than one service on a site.

The multi-service development also aims to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification.

When finished, the fire station will have advanced air quality ventilation with low-emitting building materials, the city says. Some features in the fire station have been included to support firefighters’ health and wellness, including improved acoustic separation between active and living areas and indoor environment controls related to lighting, daylighting and thermal comfort.

“The Cornerstone Fire Station will support Calgarians by enabling the Calgary Fire Department to meet target response times and ensure we can continue to meet the demand for services for Cornerstone and surrounding communities as they continue to grow,” said Dongworth. “Over the last five years, the number of calls attended to by the Skyview station have doubled, and we only see that number growing.

“This station will be an important asset to the community for years to come.”

The project, a collaboration between the city’s departments, including infrastructure services, the fire department, waste and recycling services, and housing solutions is expected to be finished by spring 2025.