A new Bentley fire hall, a hot budget item for Lacombe County and the town, has moved one step closer to becoming a reality.
Both councils have now agreed to cost share land and building costs for the approximate $1.862 million proposal.
Work is expected to proceed on the 7,680 square-foot structure in 2013 and services to the land may be installed this fall.
Keith Boras, Lacombe County environmental and protective services manager, said the town and county spent $150,000 to purchase the land in Lacombe County.
“The town didn’t have land suitable for the fire hall,” he said, adding the property was obtained at a good price.
He said county council gave the green light to paying $930,852 (half the cost) for the firehall at its Aug. 23 meeting.
Bentley CAO Elizabeth Smart said an emergency services committee has been looking at plans for a new fire hall for some time.
“The old one is too crowded,” she said. “It is not even a safe situation there. And, there is no room to expand.”
She said the new fire hall would be built on land across from the new Highway 12 connector road.
Mayor Joan Dickau said the location has been well thought out. “That location will be great with the bypass (coming in).”
Dickau is pleased to see plans for the new fire hall moving ahead.
“There really is a need for a new firehall. It will address the needs of the town well into the future. I am really excited about it.”
The present firehall houses two county trucks, two town trucks and a jointly owned rescue truck. The hall, built around 1980, is attached to the town hall and the Bentley Drop In Centre and, as well as being too small to accommodate the trucks, does not have tall enough overhead doors to accommodate some modern equipment.
Members of the emergency services committee include Joan Dickau, Bentley Coun. Lynda Haarstad-Petten, Lacombe County Reeve Ken Wigmore, county Coun. Keith Stephenson, Bentley Fire Capt. Dan Hueppelsheuser and firefighter Peter Issler.