The city’s newest fire station opened in Ellerslie on Saturday and officials say the station will help lead the way for future fire rescue services in Edmonton.

“This station in future years will be a corner stone for fire rescue services and the delivery of public safety to the citizens of Edmonton. This definitely will become a district station down the road, thus the size.” said Fire Chief Ken Block.

“We’ve got great access to the Henday and we’re very close to Highway 2 and Calgary Trail. ”

The 17,000 square-foot facility, located at 1203 Ellwood Road in southeast Edmonton, was designed in a way to allow for improved access and better training services, and even won an outstanding architecture and design award, beating out stations from across North America.

It includes three drive-through bays that can house up to six emergency vehicles and Block says one of the station’s key features is its training room.

“Every fire crew south of the river at some point will access this station to take advantage of the training room,” he said.

“It’s just an endless the amount of opportunity that this new station provides.”

The station was funded with the support of the province. Approximately $4 million from the government’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative fund went towards the station.

Mayor Stephen Mandel said the Ellerslie community was in need of a fire station.

“This community is growing exponentially,” Mandel said.

“It’s almost out of the city limits so there’s no question that we needed a fire station here.”

It’s a welcome addition to the neighbourhood for resident Jennifer Ramstad.

“If there is an emergency in our home or neighbourhood, we know someone will be able to respond quickly,” Ramstad said.

Block says the fire station will bring a higher level of service to all of Edmonton, not just the Ellerslie community.

“This is going to be an anchor. Having this station open and in its location is going to improve the level of service not only in the Ellerslie neighbourhood but in fact throughout the city,” he said.

The Ellerslie station is the city's 27th fire station.