Fire hall foundation nearly complete

A new access to the Northern BC YMCA is now open as work next door on the new Fire Hall #1 progresses.

The entrance is now off Del Laverdure Way, on the south side of the facility off Massey Drive, directly across from Masich Place Stadium.

As of last week, workers were pouring concrete for the fire hall’s foundation, to be followed by the installation of structural beams and columns.

They are also currently constructing a new water main that will run from the intersection of Massey Drive and Carney Street to the site. In addition, bricklayers are arriving this week to begin the “block work” that will make up the walls of the facility. Later this fall, construction of the roof will begin.

All of the lanes on Massey Drive have been reopened to traffic. For a few months, traffic was diverted around the work site to allow crews to widen the new entrance to the Y and to add a bus lane, meridians, and concrete sidewalks.

In October 2017, residents who cast ballots voted 83 per cent in favour of borrowing up to $15 million for the project, which will replace the 60-year-old Fire Hall #1 next to City Hall.

The new location is more centralized and will increase the area firefighters can reach within the critical eight-minute response time.

The new fire hall will be about 50 per cent larger than the current facility and have the capacity to house a modern emergency operations centre and fire operations communications centre.

The project is scheduled to be completed by next fall.