Airdrie Transit Operations Centre

The Airdrie Transit Operations Centre (ATOC) marks a turning point for the City of Airdrie’s growing public transportation system. 

Before this project, the city’s transit operations were scattered across multiple sites, creating inefficiencies in maintenance and administration. The new 6,200 m² facility brings all these functions together under one roof—housing fleet storage, maintenance, and administrative services in a single, purpose-built location. The result is a streamlined operation that improves efficiency, enhances staff well-being, and sets the stage for long-term sustainability within the community.

Designed around the concept of the prairie correction line—a surveying principle that defines much of Western Canada’s landscape—the building’s layout is guided by order, clarity, and connectivity. A shared central corridor links the three key program areas, allowing easy flow between maintenance, operator, and administrative spaces. Generous daylight and open sightlines create a sense of cohesion between teams, while positively pressurized corridors keep vehicle exhaust out of office zones, ensuring clean air and comfort for staff. The facility demonstrates that industrial performance and human-centred design can exist hand in hand.

With careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and value management, the project was delivered on time and under budget, without compromising design quality. Future-ready features, including capacity for electric bus infrastructure and fleet expansion, ensure the facility will evolve with Airdrie’s needs. Since its completion, ATOC has become the operational heart of the city’s transit system—symbolizing civic investment, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Its thoughtful design was recognized with the 2021 MASI Silver Award for Special Projects, honouring its contribution to both function and community.