Construction for the East Sooke Firehall is currently being tendered by the Capital Regional District. The Invitation to Tender is looking for an entity to take on the construction of a 7,200 square foot pre-engineered steel building.
Ultimately, the new building will consist of an apparatus bay for six vehicles, a hose tower, a training room, and a variety of offices and building service rooms.
Their current facility, as described on their website (eastsookefire.com) consists of three apparatus bays where existing trucks have to be made shorter to fit in the bays at increased costs. There is a small training room which fills to capacity on training night, and a small kitchenette. Office space is scarce with people and equipment sharing space with storage.
“We have now outgrown our fire hall and space is extremely limited,” reads a statement on the East Sooke firehall’s website.
And while the old firehall does not meet seismic standards, the new firehall will also couple as the community’s emergency operations centre.
The total estimated capital cost of the project has decreased from $2,535,000 to $2,295,000. Federal Gas Tax funding in the amount of $125,000 and a donation from a community member in the amount of $50,000 reduces the maximum loan required from $2,485,000 to $2,120,000. This amount may decrease if other sources of grant funding can be identified or if less contingency funding is required.
The closing date for the Invitation to Tender is April 14.
“The next news worthy milestone would be the signing of the contracts,” noted Dr. George May, the Chair of the East Sooke Fire Commission. “Between now and then there will be negotiations, adjustment of the plans to meet the budget target if required, all of which will be done with commissioners inputs.”
For information and/or enquiries on this project please contact Ben Martin at 250-360-3242.