Mayor Farkas Positions Pipeline Project as Symbol of Calgary's Renewed Ambition
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas has framed the city's ambitious Bearspaw water pipeline replacement as far more than essential infrastructure. He views this $400-million undertaking as a pivotal opportunity to redefine Calgary's identity and operational tempo.
From 'Slow City' to Showcase of Efficiency
Farkas openly acknowledges Calgary's frustrating reputation for protracted project timelines, citing examples like the Green Line, Event Centre, and Arts Commons developments. He contrasts these with the urgent timeline for the six-kilometre Bearspaw feeder main replacement, which aims for completion in approximately 11 months—a schedule he claims would traditionally span four years.
"We're going back to how things were done before, when Calgary was built by people who did what others thought was unrealistic," Farkas stated in a recent interview. "We grew from prairie to powerhouse because we didn't think small. Bold built Calgary, and bold is going to rebuild it."
A Project with National Implications
The mayor positions this effort as having significance beyond municipal boundaries. He suggests successful execution will command national attention and respect.
"When we pull off this one-year project that otherwise would take four years, the rest of the nation will be looking to us," Farkas declared, framing the pipeline as an aspirational model for getting things done.
Urgency Driven by Safety and Accountability
The project's impetus stems from a critical water main break on December 30, 2025, which created hazardous conditions and required first responder intervention. Farkas emphasizes the ongoing risk, noting the pipe could fail again without warning, with potentially fatal consequences.
He has assumed direct accountability for the project's outcome, stating leadership is defined by delivery, not excuses. "The buck stops with me, and so does the commitment to deliver," he affirmed. "Calgarians don't want excuses, they want results—and that's what they're going to get."
Council Unity and Operational Shift
Farkas credits city council with demonstrating strong consensus on the necessity of this specific project, despite other administrative tensions. He observes a marked change in pace at city hall, contrasting what he describes as decades of slow motion with a new, urgent operational mindset.
The mayor's vision is clear: transforming the Bearspaw pipeline from a routine infrastructure replacement into a powerful symbol of Calgary's regained capacity for bold, efficient action and restored civic pride.
