Arrowsmith Search and Rescue's new base of operation is under construction and will provide the unit with a central point to conduct their work. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

RAPID RESPONSE

$500,000 loan kicks construction of new Arrowsmith SAR base into high gear

Mar 30, 2021 | 5:26 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — A new loan is helping Arrowsmith Search and Rescue (ASAR) realize their goals of a new operations centre, quicker.

A total of $500,000 in funding will fast-track construction, which began in 2020, on the new $1.2 million facility. The project was originally pegged at $675,000, however rising construction costs have ballooned the budget.

Kerry Randle, public communications for Arrowsmith SAR, told NanaimoNewsNOW, the hall will act as the response hub for the group, enabling them to store response vehicles and gear in one central location.

“Currently those vehicles are parked at different member’s homes, so that causes it to be just a little bit harder to gather everything together. This facility has a beautifully large area that’s going to not only going to accommodate all the vehicles and equipment…but it will also allow room for growth.”

The new facility will also include specialized rooms for drying equipment and a large training area for Arrowsmith personnel and other regional SAR’s.

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The building will also serve as a hub in the event of a major disaster such as an earthquake. Approximately $150,000 in necessary costs were added to the bill in 2019 to facilitate this need.

Annual callouts for Arrowsmith have doubled over the last ten years according to Randle and the group’s current facility on the Alberni Hwy. cannot meet the demand.

The group covers the eastern portion of Vancouver Island from Deep Bay to just north of Lantzville but routinely assists through mutual aid to surrounding areas.

“It’s very centrally located right beside the Qualicum Beach airport,” Randle said. “That’s going to allow for a much faster response time to any callouts because it’s a central location where all of the volunteers can get together and head out.”

Arrowsmith SAR continues to fundraise in a bid to pay down the debt as soon as possible. The group is confident it can manage the borrowing costs comfortably, however becoming debt free will enable them to pour money into additional rescue tools.

Randle said acquiring night vision equipment and training is high on the priority list.

“If we can retire that debt as quickly as possible, then we can work on expanding our capacity which makes us that much more effective and enhance the ability to respond quickly and find people faster and save lives.”

Arrowsmith SAR consists of over 50 volunteer members.

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alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley