The Old Rosebud Fire hall

Times Contributor

 

Interesting discussions occurred over the sale of the old Rosebud Fire Hall. The old hall and quonset sit on two lots owned by the County of Wheatland, but the building belongs to the Rosebud Fire Association.  

A badly needed new fire hall was built in 2011, by borrowing $150,000 from the county at a low interest rate, with expectations that the loan be repaid over 10 years. The proceeds from the sale of the old hall go towards the loan. The arrangement seemed straightforward, until the question of whether community interests could utilize the building without selling the hall.

LaVerne Ericksen proposed to council that local artisans and possibly a farmers market would be a good use for the building. He wondered if grants, community development funds or some other funding could be allocated to the Fire Association, in exchange for the community`s use of the buildings. 

“We would like to see this happen, but not if it adversely affects the Fire Department in any way,” said Erickson.

Councillor Glen Koester said the Rosebud Enhancement association could be among the other applicants for development funds.

The sale of county property falls under the Municipal Government Act and fair market value for the property would be required. When the county posts the property for sale, interested parties put in their tender and a set process takes place to determine the buyer. 

“Rosebud is unique, we would hate to see the building to go to private owners, “said Councillor Don Vander Velde.

 “We would like to see the building used by someone within the community,” said Rod Hymas, Rosebud Fire Association board member,“ but because the Fire Association is required to make payments on their loan, there is no possibility for them to allow community organizations to utilize the building for free.“

Letters from three residents advocated the sale of the building.

Councillor Brenda Knight suggested rather than selling, that the Fire Association lease out the buildings and use those funds as an ongoing extra source of income.

It was questioned whether council could allow the fire department to defer loan payments and only pay the interest on the loan, for a two-year period. This would allow community interests to lease the site and test if the arrangement would be financially acceptable. The sale of the buildings would again come up for review at the end of a two-year test period.

“If council will defer the payments and whoever leases the property comes up with the interest payments on the loan, covers the insurance costs and maintenance of the buildings, we may be open to the idea,” said Hymas.

Council encouraged the interested parties to consider the points brought under discussion at the meeting, communicate with each other concerning the issue, and bring the results back to council for consideration.