Construction is officially underway on a new multi-function station for Toronto Paramedic Services.

Mayor Olivia Chow was among several members of city staff to break ground on the 90,000-square foot station on Progress Avenue. The city says the new facility will be vital to ensure paramedics can respond when and where they are needed most.

“We’re expanding and modernizing our emergency services facilities and hiring more than 330 paramedics,” said Chow. “So that when Torontonians are in their greatest time of need, there’s someone always there to help. This investment in part of our plan to build safer and stronger communities across the city.”

The two-storey facility will house up to 40 ambulances and 20 emergency response vehicles to support the delivery of paramedic services. The station will include a logistics and equipment services area, administrative offices, and will become home to Toronto Paramedic Service’s Education and Development team.

The facility will boast a mass-timber structure, a solar wall, geothermal heating, and a photovoltaic roofscape that is anticipated to generate over 1,000,000 kilowatt-hours annually to completely offset the building’s electricity demand. Combined with an all-electrical mechanical system, triple pane glazed windows, high-thermal resistance walls and roofing, the facility will meet the city’s net zero standards.

Construction is anticipated to be complete in early 2029.

Toronto Paramedic Services is the largest municipal service of its kind in Canada.