A process that started in 2008 has finally broken ground and the new firehall in Osoyoos is expected to open approximately one year from now.
The $5.9 million contract was awarded to the local Penticton business Greyback Construction Ltd. and groundbreaking has already taken place at the 74 Avenue location near Highway 97.
“We’re very pleased to award it to a local company,” said Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff. “We’re excited because we’ve already started and they are pouring cement I think.”
The funds were voted for by residents of Osoyoos in a referendum last year which allowed the town to pay back the $5.9 million over the next 20 years.
The process jumped through many hoops and has been talked about for years according to McKortoff. A study was completed to see if there was as need for the new hall, an architect was contracted and many factors were taken into consideration.
“When you’re spending a lot of money like this it has to go through a very stringent procedure,” McKortoff said. “I know that Town staff have been very involved over these many years making sure that what is being done is appropriate.”
McKortoff applauded the efforts of Osoyoos fire chief Rick Jones along with deputy chief Bill Roque and volunteer Blake Oglivy, who were instrumental in getting the long, drawn-out process to completion.
“I can’t say enough about the three members from the firehall that were extremely involved in every detail of this,” McKortoff said. “It’s phenomenal how detailed you need to be with something like this.”
The fire hall will contain a new training centre and will feature state-of-the-art facilities.