The Town of Comox has approved the submission of cost estimates for upgrades to the Comox fire hall.
A statement from the town said the estimated project cost is about $6.1 million, or $7 million including contingency.
Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schriener said a $5-million federal grant application under the Strategic Priorities Fund is under review and would reduce the impact on taxpayers if approved.
“We’re quite hopeful that [grant] will come through in the next two or three months,” said Schriener. “If that does, it obviously makes this project much more palatable. Regardless, we feel that we need to go through with the project as it [the fire hall] is forty-eight years old and building costs are only growing more and more as we move forward.”
Planned upgrades include post-disaster construction standards and backup power, allowing the building to function as the town’s emergency operations centre.
Other improvements include decontamination, laundry and shower facilities, universal accessibility, expanded training areas, kitchen and office space, and lodging units for firefighters.
Schriener said firefighters will need to make temporary adjustments while construction is underway.
“For the next year, we’re going to be working out of some trailers in the backyard of our hall,” he said.
Construction is expected to begin in April and last about 14 months.
