Open house on fire hall project

Photo: Contributed - Town of Osoyoos

An artist's rendition of the new project.

The Town of Osoyoos is holding public information sessions regarding the new $6.6 million fire hall.

The information session is scheduled for Thursday, August 28. 

The Fire Hall Tour includes an opportunity for the public to view the current Fire Hall and discuss with firefighters their current working conditions.

The presentation session at the Sonora Community Centre is an opportunity for the public to receive information on all elements of the project.

In 2007, a study was conducted of Town facilities. It was determined at that time that consideration should be given to relocating the fire department to a more suitable site where a new fire hall could be constructed to meet the growing needs of the Town of Osoyoos, Osoyoos Rural Protection District and the Osoyoos Indian Band.

KMBR Architects Planners Inc. was commissioned by the Town of Osoyoos to produce a pre-design and Needs Assessment Study for a new fire hall for the Osoyoos Volunteer Fire Department.

The purpose of this study was to define the scope, schedule and budget for a reconstruction project to replace the existing and aging fire hall.

The cost of construction is $6,619,800, which includes a 10 per cent contingency allowance, with funding coming from the Osoyoos Rural Fire Protection District $250,000 and UBCM Gas Tax Grant $407,143 and the balance of $5,962,657 through long term borrowing.

The debt payments will be shared between the Town of Osoyoos, Osoyoos Rural Fire Protection District and Osoyoos Indian Band.

The proposed site for the new fire hall is located on 74th Avenue near the intersection with Highway 97.

Information session times are as follows:

1. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.           Fire Hall Tour, 8707 Main Street
2. 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.   Fire Hall Tour, 8707 Main Street 
3. 7:30 p.m. to  8:30 p.m.  Presentation/Question/Answer session Sonora Community Centre Gymnasium