The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is seeking feedback on the Hosmer Fire Hall from the community, following a public meeting on Nov. 13.
The RDEK has opened a public comment page on the Hosmer Fire Hall, where the community can provide feedback on assessment reports on the state of the current building, and potential options for renovation or replacement.
RDEK Electoral Area A director Thomas McDonald halted discussion on the fire hall in the fall of 2023 so an assessment could be developed.
"When I was elected, this process was already underway and, like many residents in Hosmer, I felt I needed more information and a better understanding of the needs and current conditions of the hall before moving any further," he said. "That is what the last year has involved; looking into a wide range of options and once we felt like we had enough information, taking it out to the community so they could review it and share their input."
The RDEK has proposed a few different options to address the health and safety issues at the current fire hall. Presently, it lacks adequate training space and decontamination showers, and the building poses a fire risk due to electrical issues. It also has water lines that freeze frequently in the winter.
Options include renovating the existing fire hall, expanding the existing fire hall, rebuilding a new fire hall on the existing site, or building a new fire hall at another location.
Renovating the existing hall would involve adding two separate bays at the rear of the property to accommodate the fire crew's new engine, which is too large to fit in the current building. This option has the least expensive maximum cost, with a total price tag estimate ranging from $1.65 to $3 million.
Expansion is listed as a potential, albeit limited, option. On its website, RDEK states that expansion to the east is not possible due to the property boundary and the septic field, and expansion to the west would not provide enough space for two additional bays and limit access to the community hall.
While rebuilding on the current site provides solutions to some of the problems with the existing fire hall, it would mean tearing down the neighbouring community hall. It also has a higher maximum cost, with an estimated price range of $2.95 to $4.1 million.
RDEK Chief Administrative Officer Shawn Tomlin has indicated that if the project reaches maximum costing, this option would require additional funding beyond the $4 million raised already.
A conditional sale agreement has been reached on a property at the corner of Kmiecik and Dicken Rd. for a new fire hall, if that option is pursued. The site was found to be well-suited for development. It's easily accessible from multiple directions with adequate space for a new building, and located above the flood zone. Estimates show building on another property could cost anywhere from $3.1 to $4 million.
Another property at Dicken Rd and Highway 3 was also investigated as a potential site, but Tomlin said it was determined not to be a workable option, as there were Agricultural Land Reserve limitations and the area presented a high flood risk.
"Properties within the ALR [Agricultural Land Reserve] would require non-farm use approval from the Agricultural Land Commission to allow for fire hall use, which introduces additional process timelines as well as uncertainty of not being approved," Tomlin explained.
A comment form, along with the presentation from the public meeting and copies of all assessments are available at www.engage.rdek.ca/hosmerfirehall. Residents can provide input up until Dec. 17.
A board decision on the direction of the project is anticipated in January or February.
