A major milestone has been reached in the Comox Fire Rescue station upgrade project.
The Town of Comox and the Comox Fire Protection District said the demolition of the office portion of the building has wrapped up and the project is transitioning into vertical construction.
Fire chief Gord Schreiner said the focus can now shift into turning the building into a modern fire station that meets today’s safety, operational and post-disaster standards.
“This is an important investment in community safety and in supporting the firefighters who serve the community every day.”
During the deconstruction phase of the project, there was a strong focus on commitment to sustainability practices, with approximately 95 per cent of the materials recycled.
Key design features of the updated station include:
- Post disaster construction standards and backup power, enabling the building to function as the town’s emergency operations centre
- Improved firefighter health and safety through proper decontamination, laundry and shower facilities
- Universal accessibility, including an elevator and accessible washrooms
- Expanded training, classroom, kitchen and office spaces
- Five on-site affordable lodging for firefighters to support faster nighttime response times and improve service levels across the community
Comox Mayor Nicole Minions said the town is proud of the work that has been accomplished and looks forward to future progress on the building.
“From recycling the vast majority of the building materials to designing a modern, energy-efficient facility, we’re making thoughtful choices that reduce our environmental impact while supporting a safer community and our firefighters.”
The updated construction cost is now $5.9 million, down from an earlier estimate of $6.1 million.
The project cost is being split by the Town of Comox, who is paying for two-thirds of the project, while the other third is covered by the Comox Fire Protection District.
Construction of the new fire station is expected to be completed by fall 2027.
