The North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department's new hall features four bays and many other amenities. (Florian Schulz)

By Ian Holmes

New digs

‘It was badly needed:’ new North Oyster fire hall opens

Jun 22, 2019 | 2:35 AM

NANAIMO — Years of planning and waiting has paid off for North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department crews, who finally have a newly expanded fire hall.

The new four-bay Yellow Point Rd. hall officially opens during a public celebration Saturday, June 22 from 12 to 4 p.m.

North Oyster Volunteer Fire Dept. chief Florian Schulz said the new four-bay hall will serve the community and their members much better.

“Having a brand new apparatus bay and training rooms, offices, shower facilities and a kitchen where the guys can cook meals is quite spectacular,” Schulz told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The old hall was completely renovated, which included adding training rooms and administration space.

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Schulz said the adjoining new four-bay section of their hall allows all of their trucks to be housed in a single decluttered space.

He said enhanced public safety infrastructure was required to better serve the area.

“Last year we were just shy of 250 calls. For a relatively small community I think that’s quite significant,” Schulz said.

He said discussions for the new fire hall were ongoing for more than 20 years.

Nearly $3 million was budgeted for the new North Oyster Fire Station, funded by the Cowichan Valley Regional District.

The North Oyster Volunteer Fire Dept. serves more than 2,300 people.

The old hall was built in the 1960’s.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes