Can we afford a new fire station?

At Monday’s council meeting a decision to engage consultants to develop plans to replace the King St. west fire station was put on hold.

The station, located in the lower west side, is in a building nearly 100 years old. Rob Simond's, the fire chief, was quoted in the TJ that several modifications have already been made to accommodate new fire fighting equipment.

This fire station serves the north end and uptown, as well as the west side; all areas are dense with very old wooden structures.

Many former fire station sites have been modified to house businesses and homes. The old Beaconsfield fire station on Lancaster Avenue, built in 1930, has been a residence for many years. The image, below left,  was taken last summer - since then the owners have done extensive work on the brickwork and the building looks great. On the right is an image of the fire station while still in use.