Voters have given the green light for the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) to build a new fire hall, replacing the aging and outdated Hall 2.
The referendum's result will allow the CRD to borrow up to $3.25 million for the replacement project.
There were 273 votes in favour and 114 votes against the replacement, the CRD said in a news release. They estimate voter turnout was around 12 per cent based with 2,200 houses in the Quesnel Fringe Fire Protection Area.
The contract for building the new fire hall is expected to be put out to open tender following a detailed design process and confirmation of financing, the CRD said. The loan is intended to be paid off over 30 years and residential property taxes are expected to increase by $21.40 per $100,000 of assessed value to pay for the loan. An average home would see an increase of $70.62 per year based on a $330,000 assessed value, the CRD said.
“The Red Bluff fire hall provides protection to a very large area, including properties in Red Bluff, Dragon Lake, Richbar, and south Quesnel,” said Mary Sjostrom, electoral area A director. “Thank you to everyone who voted for your support and allowing the Cariboo Regional District to build a new fire hall to meet the needs of our volunteers and of our growing community for years to come.”
Before the referendum, Quesnel Fire Chief Ron Richert told The Observer the new hall would have more bays for vehicles which is essential for safety and to allow all of the area's fire fighters to attend calls when needed. He also highlighted a lack of ventilation in the truck bay, no shower facilities and the building's aging appliances and infrastructure as other concerns.
The Red Bluff fire hall was first built in 1981. The Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department operates out of it to provide fire protection to properties in Red Bluff, Dragon Lake, Richbar, and South Quesnel. Due to a growing population, significant commercial and industrial developments, and changing firefighting standards, the existing firehall no longer meets the needs of the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department and must either be retrofitted or replaced. The CRD calculated replacing the hall would be the cheaper, more efficient option.
