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Money from City of Nanaimo could help conserve historic fire hall building

Committee recommends covering grant account shortfall to support the high-profile project
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A heritage facade grant could go toward sprucing up Nanaimo Fire Hall No. 2, a building on the city’s community heritage register. (TAMARA CUNNINGHAM/News Bulletin)

Upgrades could be on the way for Nanaimo’s historic downtown fire hall.

Nanaimo city councillors are a vote away from deciding on a heritage façade grant for the 124-year-old fire hall No. 2 on Victoria Road, helping to kindle a more than $28,000 makeover.

According to a city report, fire hall No. 2 was built in 1893, a “substantial and expensive building,” whose construction costs were raised through subscription and indicates community commitment to efficient modern service and faith in the city’s future. It’s on the city’s community heritage register.

The work, by owner R. Bryson Insurance Consultants, will include repairing and cleaning bricks and repairing and repainting windows. Through the heritage facade grant, half of the estimated $28,631 bill would be covered by the City of Nanaimo.

Supporting the project, however, will mean taking dollars from the heritage home fund to cover a shortfall, preventing any further applications. The façade program pot was down to $5,000 because of earlier award to the Ashlar Lodge Masonic Temple, also getting a refresh. A report said city staff believe the funding support is merited given the significant heritage value of the fire hall, the deterioration to its outside over the past decade and its high profile.

City politicians recommended in a finance and audit committee meeting last week that council approve the grant and do the budget transfer.