Calgary Farmers’ Market reopens Thursday after flooding due to water main break

The Calgary Farmers’ Market will reopen on Thursday after a water main break caused a flood in the building the day before.

Just a couple of weeks ahead of Christmas, general manager Stacy Petropolous told Global News the “major water main break” happened at about 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday and flooded the market itself.

“I have no rubber boots and there’s water up to my knees and I’m trying to get emails out to our vendors,” Petropolous said.

Petropolous said part of the building was not accessible as of 5 p.m. She said she didn’t believe the booths were damaged by the water.

“I love this place and I’m hoping to get it back to normal, but I know we will,” said Market spokesperson Amanda Langbroek.

According to the Calgary Fire Department, a 25-centimetre water main in the sprinkler/main water room broke, causing water to flow throughout the building as well as outside.

“The front of the structure was compromised so we had a heavy rescue team assess it and deemed it to be still safe,” Acting Battallion Chief Wayne Bonderud said.

“The on-scene captain said roughly 40 per cent of the building is flooded with two to three inches of water at this time,” Bonderud said.

Bonderud said about 20 people were in the building at the time and the building was evacuated for a short time. As of 5:30 p.m., the fire department was waiting for the city to come and shut the water off to the entire street.

Gordon Fontaine, who owns Soffritto Oil & Vinegar Bar, said the water main break came at a bad time for retailers.

“It was kind of worrying… the biggest week of the year which is about to start tomorrow,” he said. “So it’s a very busy time for us here at the Calgary Farmers’ Market.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It was kind of worrying… the biggest week of the year which is about to start tomorrow," he said. "So it's a very busy time for us here at the Calgary Farmers' Market."

“Everyone is kind of helping each other out right now and we just want to open for tomorrow, just in time for Christmas,” said Vicki Kemp, who owns Tiny Taste Buds.

There was no estimate as to how much water spilled into the market.

The Calgary Farmer’s Market tweeted on Wednesday evening that they would be open for business on Thursday.

– With files from Tony Tighe