Waverley West fire station officially commissioned

A temporary fire station in Winnipeg's Waverley West neighbourhood was officially commissioned on January 11, 2025. (Dan Timmerman/CTV News Winnipeg)

A temporary fire station in one of Winnipeg’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods received the ribbon-cutting treatment.

The modular station, located at 130 Eaglewood Drive in Waverley West, was officially commissioned on Saturday.

According to the City of Winnipeg, a four-person fire crew, two-person paramedic crew, as well as a fire engine and an ambulance, are working at the station. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews started operating on December 19th.

WFPS Chief Christian Schmidt said those crews have already responded to 151 calls for service. He noted a 5-minute 4-second response time to a recent structure fire was significantly better than the National Fire Protection Association performance standard.

“As we all know, in an emergency – seconds count,” Schmidt said. “Having crews start from the most strategic location is one way we ensure that we are getting to emergencies as quickly as possible.”

The station – which Mayor Scott Gillingham likened to a “giant Lego set” – is made of modular parts that be disassembled and reassembled elsewhere as needed.

“This innovative, temporary solution ensures that vital emergency services are delivered to this rapidly growing community,” Gillingham said.

Janice Lukes, the city councillor for the Waverley West ward, said the area is the fastest-growing quadrant in the city.

“The projection was this community would develop in 25-30 years,” Lukes explained. “But the reality is we are in year 15 – and due to favourable federal and provincial immigration policies – we’ve filled up really fast.”

Mayor Gillingham added rapid growth comes with its fair share of challenges.

“It means we need to make significant investment in public safety, infrastructure and the services that all residents depend upon,” Gillingham remarked.

The modular station will remain at its Waverley West location until a permanent station is built near the upcoming South Winnipeg Rec Campus. Lukes anticipates construction on the permanent station will start next spring.

The City said the modular station cost $6.8 million.