Breaking ground go ahead for Dalum Fire

Times Contributor      

 

Representatives from the Dalum Fire Association approached Wheatland Council regarding the building of a new fire hall. Council had placed a countywide hold on fire service building projects, until the completion of a fire services review.

“We would like to build a new fire hall,” said Mike Ostergard. “Our current one is not big enough to maintain and work on the equipment. We need to get moving now, if we expect to get things done within a year from now. We don’t feel right about beginning the framing, without full approval from council. We ask council to reconsider allowing us to move forward with the building plan.”

The Association presented council with the building plans and cost estimates for the hall. The plans include a six bay building, which would house all their current equipment, with office space and room for expansion in the back. The building itself, with labour and materials, will cost $263,584. Complete costs for service, groundwork and finishing, will bring the price up to approx. $700,000 and the association was allowing a $200,000 buffer for cost increases or unknown spending contingencies. The Association currently has $250,000 in the bank to start the project and pay for a new bush buggy that is on order. The community and the fire association are prepared to fundraise to provide their share of the building funds. The County of Wheatland Capital Fire funding budget, sets aside money for their various fire contracts. Dalum will use part of their funds towards supplementing the building project. 

The Dalum Fire Department badly needs the building. It currently can only park four of their six, and soon seven, vehicles adequately. They have a tanker, a pumper tanker, a four wheel drive (4WD) rescue command vehicle, a 4WD rapid response vehicle, a suburban supervisor vehicle, a transport bus and soon a bush buggy. Firefighters squeeze between the vehicles, not able to fully open doors or equipment lockers. 

While crews are proud of their equipment and are thankful for the County’s help with the seed money to purchase them, they say more space is needed to operate effectively. The hall has no office to do paperwork, and no meeting room. It has no washroom or water supply. Firefighter gear is currently hung from the ceiling and stored at members’ homes.

“Council recognizes that you don’t have enough room. We are not opposed to the plan but we are asking that you hold off until the Fire Review is completed,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong.

The review is expected to be complete by the end of 2013. Councillors mentioned that Carseland Fire is also looking to build a new addition to their hall and they were required to wait. 

The County currently owns both the land and building in Dalum. The County agreed they could consolidate the lots to expedite matters. Councillors asked if the existing building could be utilized and a smaller hall built. Ostergard said they had considered the idea but felt the split buildings would affect operations.

Councillors cautioned that if they took a vote to rescind the building hold, the result may be a tie and by default, the vote would go against it. The vote was five to one against rescinding the hold, with one member absent. The building hold stands.

Council consented that the Dalum Association could do site preparation and groundwork on the lots, so that building construction might proceed later in the year, after the Fire review was finalized.