Officials cut the ceremonial flowered ribbon on a new multi-use centre in northwest Calgary, complete with emergency services, a commercial and community centre, and mixed-income housing.

The Varsity Multi-Service Centre, a $53.5 million project located at 3400 – 37 Street NW, houses the new Varsity No. 17 fire station, 48 mixed-income housing units, plus a commercial centre that is expected to have a daycare. 

The project first broke ground in 2022 and was scheduled for opening in the winter of 2023, with an initial budget of $33.5 million. Eighteen months and $20 million in additional COVID-inflationary costs later, the building is ready to go.

“Today, we’re not just opening a new building, we’re opening a new chapter in how municipal services can work together to serve Calgarians better,” said Community Services GM Katie Black.

The property has a dedicated park space and community-accessible rooftop patio space.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said the facility was the meeting of thoughtful design and community need.

“This new center brings together some pretty critical essential services; fire, housing, as well as retail, recreation and much more, all into one place,” the mayor said.  

“This isn’t just about convenience. It is about a bigger vision, one where we build complete communities to support Calgarians, where they are.”

Of the 48 units, 11 will be accessible, and several will be multi-generational. According to the City of Calgary, it’s expected the units will provide homes for up to 200 people.

“Our city is growing faster than ever, and I think this facility is a good glimpse … into our future,” said Ward 1 Coun. Sonya Sharp.

“These are new neighbourhoods, smart developments, and more families calling this place home. With that growth comes responsibility, ensuring that we have the infrastructure to keep people safe and connected.”

The City of Calgary said that the budget was initially set in 2018.

“The initial project budget was established in 2018 prior to the pandemic. The budget was updated in 2023 to reflect inflationary cost escalation and design updates based on community input,” read and emailed statement.

Old station served Calgary well: Chief Dongworth

Along with the community amenities, there will also be a new hazardous waste drop-off behind the new station where items like paint, batteries, and other hazardous materials can be deposited.

Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said that the old Varsity station served the community well for more than half a century.

“After 50 years of constant use, it was time to replace it as part of what is now the city’s newest Multi Service Center, which, of course, includes the new Varsity number 17 fire station,” Dongworth said.

“Not only will this new station help us to continue to effectively respond, it provides a healthy and safe work environment for our firefighters, as well as to the Alberta Health Services staff who will operate from this location.”

Mental health and well-being support is one of the biggest changes for the new station, according to Chief Dongworth. While it generally speaking has more modern technology overall, like a new diesel exhaust emissions system, it also provides an environment for first responders to decompress.

“Just thinking about creating space and an environment where, for people doing a very hectic and difficult job at times, they have that ability to when they’re not responding, to take that mental health break, if you like, and feel like they’re in a good, positive environment,” he said.

“So, I think those are really important things to me, but our team has worked really hard with the city teams to make sure it is very functional for our people.”

Calgary Housing CEO Sarah Woodgate this is a prototype of what’s possible with strong intra-city partnerships.

“Every one of these homes matters. It represents so much more than shelter. It’s about creating a foundation for people to have a new chapter in their lives and to create opportunity,” Woodgate said.

“It’s a model that allows us to serve a wide range of people, offering homes with rent set at different levels, responding to different household incomes without relying on ongoing government subsidy. It’s funded through rent revenue. It’s sustainable. It’s deeply human, and it means that residents’ lives evolve.”

Mayor Gondek said that they’re trying to ensure they don’t build standalone police or fire stations anymore. She said they want them to be integrated into the community. She noted the tri-services building in Ward 3, and Livingston has a community hub with an integrated fire station.

“We’ll continue to keep an eye out for where we can do more of this,” she said.