Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFR) is opening a new station and a new chapter in its decades-long service to the residents of Capilano.

“Protecting our citizens, ensuring they feel safe in their homes and in their neighbourhoods, is an important way the City is improving Edmonton’s livability,” said Mayor Stephen Mandel. “Our fire stations help us do this by building our residents’ sense of safety and ensuring that Edmonton Fire Rescue is close at hand for emergencies.”

Construction of the 10,000 square foot facility, located at 61 Street and 98 Avenue, began in summer 2007 and was completed in June 2009. The City selects sites for new stations after reviewing factors such as call volumes, travel times to incidents in a community, area population and comparisons to alternative locations.

“I’m confident the new Capilano Station is in the best possible location for the community,” said Fire Chief Ken Block. “The fact that the new station is now located on a major arterial road, gives us a more prominent presence in the community and will allow Fire Rescue to better connect with residents. That relationship is a vital part of what we do.”

Capilano Station reflects the City’s commitment to sustainable urban design. The City’s Capital Construction Department designed and constructed the facility to achieve a LEED Silver certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system that provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Green building features in this station include low flush toilets, low flow showers, improved insulation, an improved heating system, automated light control systems and increased natural lighting.

Construction of this project supports EcoVision Edmonton, Council’s vision for an environmentally sustainable city.