After decades spent headquartered in Calgary, Rocky View County (RVC) will move its offices to a new County hall in East Balzac during the Thanksgiving weekend. According to Communication Services Manager Greg Kaiser, the County’s last day of service at its current location will be Oct. 5. Following the move, services will resume Oct. 9 at the new municipal building, located at 262075 Rocky View Point. “As you can imagine, it’s a major undertaking to move an office that has been in place for four decades,” Kaiser said. “Right now, it’s a challenge, because all the regular work still needs to get done. But everyone is looking forward to the opportunities the new County hall brings.” According to Kaiser, RVC’s current building was opened in 1978, and was built with a 25-year lifespan. “The building no longer meets building codes or standards for energy efficiency, disabled access and more,” he said. “It is undersized, and for more than a decade, the County has been using trailers and rented space to accommodate its needs.” After considering renovations, the County determined building a new facility – located in RVC – was a better path forward. Construction of the new building began mid-2016, and plans for the move – along with opening dates – were finalized this summer. The decision to build a new facility has been met with considerable resistance from some residents, who opposed its price tag. Following the approval of RVC’s 2016 base budget, an online petition was circulated, protesting the inclusion of $42 million for the new building. Residents suggested the money budgeted for the building – which included funding provided through the province's Municipal Sustainability Initiative – could be better used elsewhere. Despite the chilly reception, the new building will yield plenty of benefits for staff and customers, Kaiser said. The facility will contribute to better customer service with added parking, more service desks and increased seating in Council chambers. “Most of the building is cubicle office space, but it’s space with proper power, lighting, washrooms and heating,” Kaiser said. “That may sound basic, but these are things that have been lacking in many County workspaces for some time.” The central location within RVC will also eliminate the time staff – including planners, safety inspectors and peace officers – sit in Calgary traffic, Kaiser added. “It improves overall efficiency by locating most of the County’s various operations at one location,” he said. “That also makes it faster and easier for County staff to work together in providing customer service and meeting the needs of residents and the business community.” Kaiser said staff will strive to minimize disruptions to County services during the move, adding patience from residents is appreciated. “We are asking that anyone who needs in-person service at the Planning or Building Services desk try to get to us before [Oct. 5] or after [Oct. 9],” he said. “There may be delays on those days, as we pack and unpack.” While the County’s mailing address will change, Kaiser said, the relocation will not impact RVC’s other contact information. Phone numbers and email addresses will remain unchanged. Office hours will also stay the same, with the municipal building open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed weekends and holidays. Kaiser said an official grand opening is planned for Oct. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., when the public is invited to enjoy refreshments and take a look at the new facility.
