A new flagship firehall for Nanaimo Fire Rescue is now operational, while the neighbouring old hall is slated to be torn down over the next few months. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

new era

Nanaimo Fire Rescue moves into new primary fire hall, demolition nears for old facility

Aug 5, 2022 | 6:22 AM

NANAIMO — Following years of planning, a new multi-purpose firehall in downtown Nanaimo is now partially functional with staff transitioning into the newly built facility.

Over the past few weeks Nanaimo Fire Rescue personnel moved out of the old on-site hall poised for the wrecking ball in favour of a larger, modern and seismically sound building.

Fire chief Tim Doyle expects the old hall to be torn over the next few months and the site paved to provide a more functional and enlarged apron on Milton St. at Fitzwilliam St.

“In the interim we do have a little bit of juggling to do, but over the long term of the life of this building it’s a short period of inconvenience for long term success,” Doyle told NanaimoNewsNOW, who expressed immense gratitude for the new facility.

A temporary apparatus bay was established on site when the former hall was no longer operational as of last month, Doyle noted.

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Construction broke ground two years ago on the $20 million project which replaces an aging and seismically unfit Fire Hall #1, which served the community for more than 55 years.

Doyle said consolidating five key departments under one roof as opposed to a pair of neighbouring buildings is a big improvement.

He said the third floor emergency operation centre is a critical new asset in case of a large-scale natural disaster.

All fire operations staff are located on the bottom floor near the fire bays for faster responses.

“To have them to be able to respond from this site that’s central to the area and get on the truck’s quickly and get out to our community, it’s very well designed.”

Doyle estimated upwards of 25 people work out of the new fire hall.

Contractors have started cleaning out the old fire hall, which is expected to be removed and paved over by the early fall/early winter. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Multiple offices, a kitchen, dorms and storage space are among features included in the new 23,000 square foot hall.

Notably Doyle said at this point the optimally located hall is currently within budget.

“We’re really encouraged that we’re trending in the right direction on budget and timeline, over the last couple of years with COVID, supply chain issues and inflation rising, a lot of projects are under pressure.”

Finances were a concern during the planning phase for the high-profile project.

The $20 million budget was $3 million above what local taxpayers had signaled support for during a 2018 alternate approval process.

A 2017 business case cited several glaring deficiencies with the old hall, leading to the previous city council deciding to replace the facility as opposed to a substantial renovation.

NFR is responsible for four 24/7 halls staffed by professional firefighters, in addition to a paid-on-call satellite hall on Protection Island.

Doyle noted NFR has responded to nearly 5,300 call-outs so far this year, with a projection for the entire year of nearly 8,900 calls for help.

Fire Hall #1 is one of the busiest in the province, according to Doyle, who stated the facility has responded to 2,326 calls year to date, an average of eleven daily responses.

He noted the new fire hall includes environmental features to reduce its carbon footprint and also result in anticipated energy savings of more than $7,300 annually.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes