The Municipal District of Bonnyville has announced its decision on the location for the construction of a state-of-the-art $5.5 million fire hall and grader shop, following discussions spurred by a series of arsons that plagued the area.
During last Tuesday’s meeting, the M.D. council revealed that the facility will be built on land owned by the M.D. at the northwest corner of Highway 55 and Township Road 412.
The decision to allocate millions of dollars from the 2024 capital budget for this critical project reflects the council’s commitment to preventing future destruction of land and buildings. The rash of significant arsons, including the loss of the Church of Latter Day Saints and threats to the Community Hall and Post Office in April 2023, prompted urgent discussions on enhancing the region’s firefighting capabilities.
Chief Administrative Officer Al Hoggan expressed the council’s eagerness to commence construction promptly, stating, “We can have shovels in the ground this week and get started to clear some of that bush.” The preliminary survey work conducted at the chosen site may be “undone” if an alternative location is selected, but the council aims to move forward swiftly by issuing tenders.
The M.D. council considered multiple options, including land owned by the Cherry Grove Agriculture Society. However, the chosen site at the northwest corner of Highway55 and the 50th Street intersection was favored for various reasons. M.D. staff highlighted the advantages of avoiding a land transfer, minimizing noise issues, and maintaining the desired building footprint without compromising essential amenities.
Despite the benefits of the selected location, residents raised concerns during the council meeting. Reeve Barry Kalinski acknowledged the challenges of finding a suitable place for the fire hall and expressed awareness of the impact on nearby residents and the community hall.
The series of arsons in April 2023 emphasized the urgency of constructing a fire hall to enhance safety and security for residents. To address community needs further, the M.D. incorporated a grader shop in the facility to house M.D. machinery.
The construction scheduled aims for the completion and turnover of the fire hall by late 2025 or early 2026. The selected location is expected to provide a natural buffer with tree lines, mitigating noise concerns and ensuring the safety of nearby residences.
