Closure
It was announced in the 1996 federal budget that CFB Calgary would be closed in 1998 as part of a policy to close various Canadian Forces bases to consolidate units into fewer facilities. In 1998, CFB Calgary was officially decommissioned, with most of its personnel relocated to CFB Edmonton at Namao, Alberta.
The base closure offered a rare opportunity for Calgary to experience a comprehensive redevelopment and land use planning strategy for a large continuous property. Family residential areas within the base, known as the Currie PMQs (or private married quarters) and located east of Crowchild Trail, were redeveloped under the aegis of the Canada Lands Company as the new community of Garrison Woods. The redevelopment included the razing of some older or less marketable houses (including semi-detached houses), the upgrading and relocation of other houses, and the construction of single-family houses, townhouses, and condominium complexes. Some commercial buildings (including a Canada Safeway) have also been built in the northwest corner of the former PMQ lands. The redevelopment of Garrison Woods won numerous awards from the residential development community, including the Honour Award for Planning Excellence from the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Grand SAM Award from the Canadian Home Builders Association. An article in Macleans Magazine reported that a large number of houses were first purchased by single women.
Redevelopment of the areas west of Crowchild Trail, including military facilities, a parade ground, and single-person residential housing, began at the same time. Planning for the disposition of the land and its facilities took longer to plan out, and in the meantime warehouses and hangars were converted into offices, theatrical rehearsal spaces, and several buildings were used as studios by movie and television production companies for shows such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show and other projects. In 2004, the base lands hosted the touring company of Cirque du Soleil. It is currently home to Wild Rose Brewery.
Clear Water Academy, a private Catholic school, was established on the former CFB Calgary property and occupied three historic buildings along Dieppe Avenue. The Calgary Farmer's Market was also located west of Crowchild Trail, in an airplane hangar located on former RCAF lands, but has since moved. The Military Museums (formerly known as the Museum of the Regiments) is located east of Crowchild Trail in Garrison Woods.
Current plans call for most of the base to be zoned for residential use as part of the Lincoln Park neighbourhood.
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