Fire Hall Tour This Weekend
Prince George, B.C. – The referendum that asks for voters approval to borrow up to $50 million dollars for a new pool and new fire hall will be held on October 28th. Leading up to that vote, the City is holding an open house at Fire Hall #1 this weekend.
On Saturday, residents are invited to tour Fire Hall #1 from 9 a..m. till noon to learn first hand why a new firehall is needed.
Then, from 1-4 pm, residents are invited to visit the proposed site for a new fire hall on Massey Drive, next to the YMCA.
The cost of building a new fire hall is pegged at $15 million dollars. Independent reports have cited issues with Prince George Fire Rescue’s ability to meet required response times at some of the locations within the area it is designated to serve. Moving the site to Massey Drive would provide faster highway access for Prince George Fire Rescue if there is an emergency in the BCR industrial site, which is within its jurisdiction.
The City already owns the property proposed for a new Fire Hall, so there is no additional cost involved.
A similar plan is in place for a public open house of the Four Season’s pool at a later date.
Comments
Firehall option is the better choice by far. Lets hope the City doesn t screw up!
Please make the Referendum nice and clear for the general public to answer!!!
“The City already owns the property proposed for a new Fire Hall, so there is no additional cost involved.”
There will be extra costs involved. What is the borrowing cost on $15million over 20yrs and what will the demolition and site reparation costs be?
$15 million at 3% interest over 20 yrs – the real cost is $19,965,513.52
The interest alone is almost $5 million
The independent study on moving Fire Hall #1 near the YMCA is flawed and I suggest City administration ask for a refund. The Vanway Fire hall is just up the hill from the new proposed location and is only a 10 minute drive to the BCR Industrial Site without sirens etc. If the Boundary Bridge across the Fraser ever gets built (like it should be), response time will even be less. Moving Fire Hall #1 will move it further from the CN Industrial Site on First Ave. (the major link to the Port of Prince Rupert (second largest in Canada)) as well as the City Bowl and major subdivisions such as Millar Addition, Connaught,the Crescents, old South Fort George, Assmans, the VLA as well as the light industrial area east of Queensway and the Pineview area. Fire Hall #1 is good for at least another 40 years. So I’m voting “no” to borrowing money for an ill conceived idea!
So here is a novel idea. Leave the fire hall # 1 where it is and build a new one which would be #5 where coverage is lacking? Cost would be lowered substantially.
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