Green Roofs for Stormwater Management

Calgary Police Service - Spyhill Services Centre

Calgary, Alberta | Supplied by EcoLogic Horticulture, Inc.

In August 2019, the Calgary Police Service’s Spyhill Services Centre became a model for sustainable infrastructure when it incorporated a 13,600-square-foot green roof using LiveRoof® modules. Installed by Prairie West Landscapes and supplied by EcoLogic Horticulture, this project was not only designed for aesthetic or ecological reasons—it was implemented primarily for stormwater management, making it unique among LiveRoof projects in Canada.

A Solution to Infrastructure Constraints

The Spyhill Services Centre, designed by Stantec and built by Cana Construction, is located in a neighborhood where the stormwater infrastructure has limited capacity. As part of the development requirements, new projects were expected to manage stormwater onsite. However, due to site constraints such as building footprint and parking lot requirements, traditional solutions like stormwater ponds or underground tanks weren’t feasible.

The green roof offered an innovative and space-efficient alternative. By integrating a green roof system, the building manages rainfall and snowmelt directly at the rooftop level. This approach reduces the volume and rate of runoff entering the municipal stormwater system, helping to alleviate strain on city infrastructure.

Engineered for Calgary's Climate

The green roof system utilized LiveRoof® Standard Modules planted with a durable “Prairie Tough” sedum blend, specifically selected for Calgary’s challenging weather conditions. The system also included LiveRoof’s RoofEdge in mill finish to provide clean transitions and edge restraint.

Supporting this approach, data from an NSERC study conducted at the University of Calgary showed that extensive green roofs with 4.25-inch media profiles can retain up to 89% of the building's annual precipitation. This includes both rain and snowmelt, making green roofs particularly effective in Calgary’s variable climate.

More Than Just Stormwater Management

Beyond runoff control, the green roof contributes to thermal insulation, energy efficiency, and urban heat island mitigation—key sustainability objectives for the City of Calgary. It also adds visual appeal to the facility while supporting biodiversity in the urban environment.

The Team Behind the Project

The green roof plant material was grown and supplied by EcoLogic Horticulture, led by Nathan Gill, a trusted LiveRoof partner for over 11 years. EcoLogic is the only supplier of locally grown LiveRoof® systems across all Canadian Prairie Provinces. As specialists in ecological restoration and low-impact development, their Green Roof Professional (GRP) certified team offers region-specific insight, ensuring successful implementation even in harsh prairie conditions.

 

“Our strength lies in being locally rooted and technically experienced,” says Gill. “We offer not just products, but practical advice drawn from years of project success across the Prairies.”

 

The Calgary Police Service – Spyhill Services Centre green roof demonstrates how modern infrastructure can meet stringent development requirements while advancing long-term environmental goals. It remains a leading example of how green roofs can be more than just green—they can be smart, strategic, and essential for resilient urban design.

About this Article

This is the sixth installment in our ongoing series, Green Roofs for Stormwater Management. We’re proud to spotlight how green infrastructure is transforming water management—one rooftop at a time.

I'm Jodi Griffin, Business Development Manager for LiveRoof® Global. Please feel free to reach out to me at jodi@liveroof.com for more information.

For more about EcoLogic Horticulture, [Click HERE].