The construction of a new fire hall in Sylvan Lake is currently ongoing, and is scheduled to be completed by February of 2016.
Piles have been completed and grade beams have been poured and are currently covered with tarps, with construction having begun in November.
The fire hall, to be located at the corner of Beacon Hill Dr. and 50 St., was originally scheduled to be completed this summer. Due to no compliant bids that fit within the project’s budget, however, a construction contract was not awarded.
The overall project budget is $6.27 million. The tender was reissued and received bids that fit within the project’s budget, and a contract was awarded in October.
Construction is now on schedule, according to Dave Brand, public works director for the Town of Sylvan Lake.
The Sylvan Lake Fire Department currently has a functioning fire hall on 47 Ave., but as the population of Sylvan Lake rises, so does the need for a larger fire hall, said Brand.
“As the department grows, we need more space for department training and the actual equipment.”
The hall’s new location will make all protective services buildings adjacent to each other.
“It’s ideal to have them located in one location,” Brand said. “That way you don’t have to worry about your members wondering which station to respond to.”
The new fire hall will be larger and able to accommodate different types of trucks, such as a new aerial truck, which is scheduled to arrive at the same time as the fire hall’s completion.
“You don’t want to buy a fancy new truck and park it outside,” Brand said. “You want to have the facility available for those sorts of things.”