BARRIE - With concrete blocks going together quickly at the corner of Dunlop and Innisfil streets, construction of the new Barrie Fire and Emergency Service Station 1 is on track for its February 2011 completion, according to city facilities manager Kevin Bradley.
The $14.2-million project at the corner of Dunlop and Eccles streets, which received $8.5 million in infrastructure stimulus funding, must be completed by March 30.
“The building we’re in now is, for lack of a better word, tired,” said Barrie Fire Chief John Lynn, who describes current headquarters – built in 1964 – as sub-standard for a modern fire department. “It’s going to be quite refreshing to be in a state-of-the-art station. And quite a boost to morale.”
The 38,600-square-foot facility will not only house a five-bay fire house, but also the city’s emergency operations centre and a communications centre, intended to address Barrie’s needs up to 2030.
“It’s being built with growth in mind,” said Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard. It’s less expensive to build it bigger than needed now than to add on later, he explained.
Prior to construction, a needs analysis was done by Barrie’s facilities staff in conjunction with the Barrie Fire and Emergency Services, Barrie’s Community Emergency Planner and consultants brought in to assist with a city-wide building-program review process.
The new building will bring together all the necessary city resources to address emergencies, said Brassard.
There will also be a traditional bell tower.
“I think it’s a building people are going to be really, really proud of,” said Brassard, who expects the open-door policy will encourage families, school groups and tourists to visit, learn and enjoy.