Ground broken on Coaldale Fire Hall renovation, expansion
The Town of Coaldale is excitedly anticipating the major renovation, expansion and modernization of its existing fire hall in the new year, following the recent 2019-21 Operating and Capital Budget.
The approximate $3.9-million project was assisted by key stakeholders including Lethbridge County, Volunteer Firefighters Association, Alberta Health Services and Palliser Regional Schools. Project features will include ventilation and filtration of hydrocarbons from the garage area, and oversized garage bay doors to accommodate their new Elevated Master Stream.
“This renovation, expansion and modernization for the Coaldale Fire Hall will not only provide a safer working environment for our firefighters,” says Mayor Kim Craig. “It will also provide unique opportunities for the town to encourage emergency training as an option for our local high school students.”
Along with improving public safety and the safety of the firefighters, the project will also allow for a partnership with Palliser Regional Schools, which is working with the Town to host a joint-credit fire school course option for students at Kate Andrews High School and surrounding areas.
Fire Chief Kevin McKeown has been working on getting this project going for a couple of years and is pleased with how their concerns for safety and upgraded equipment were heard. Having proper ventilation and sufficient infrastructure, the firefighters and volunteers won’t have to be as concerned about their health and safety after risking their lives on the job.
“Having a proper diesel exhaust system out of the bays is a big bonus for our people, as well as providing bays for an industrial washer and dryer so we can wash our bunker gear, get those carcinogens off our gear after every fire . . . so much safer working environment for our firefighters,” says McKeown. “This project sets the stage for our fire department’s future and for the upcoming growth our town and region will be seeing.”
In addition to the health renos, the project will also see new office space, multipurpose training room, refurbished kitchen, storage for bunker gear and equipment, sleeping quarters that will be leased to partner organizations, washroom facilities and parking spaces.
“We are very excited about this project. We are fortunate that our council has put a priority on the public and firefighter safety,” says McKeown. “It is really great to finally see this happen. It has been a long time, we started planning this early on in 2017; we have gone through the architect phase and completed design of the building and it is really great to finally be here today. One of my favourite features right now is the antique display bay, on the west side of the fire hall. They are building a nice showcase bay that our antique fire truck will be placed inside. I think it will be a really nice visual piece.”
Ian Moxon Architects Inc. was retained to complete the detailed design for the project and will remain involved with construction management of the project. Southwest Design & Construction Ltd. will be building the new firehall, beginning the first phase in early 2019.