Residents in the Nanaimo River area favour tax dollars being put toward a fire truck garage rather than a new fire station, according to an RDN survey.
A new fire hall was envisioned with formation of the Nanaimo River Fire Protection Area in 2005, noted a Regional District of Nanaimo staff report, and a bylaw allowing $280,000 to be borrowed for construction was passed. Residents near Nanaimo River have been taxed, with money held in reserve and a current balance of $216,554, the report said. Close to $21,000 was borrowed for “capital start-up expenditures,” but no futher borrowing has happened.
A “satellite fire hall” for Nanaimo River would improve response time, given the distance from the Extension fire station on Bramley Road, said the RDN.
The regional district sought feedback from affected residents and held an open house in August, followed by a two-week public engagement process. Electoral area directors accepted an engagement report for information at their Thursday, Nov. 24 committee meeting.
Thirty-eight people provided input during the engagement process, with 32 per cent in favour of building “an apparatus storage garage” and 21 per cent wanting a new satellite fire hall. Eight per cent sought an end to annual reserve fund contributions and 10 per cent wanted money returned.
A 52 per cent majority indicate that they valued both the “best fire protection” and lowest insurance premiums, while 24 per cent valued best fire protection alone and none valued lowest premiums.
Lauren Melanson, area director for Extension-East Wellington, who attended the open house, said fire protection and insurance is a concern for her constituents, particularly those around South Forks Road.
“I’d say the first concern is continuing to receive fire protection and the secondary concern is potentially rising insurance costs because if they’re found to be outside the catchment, then their insurance costs will go up considerably,” said Melanson.
She said there are things to weigh when considering a garage and a new station.
“I think in the short term, the best solution would be a storage facility … long-term, I don’t know how feasible that’s going to be,” she said. “We may need to look at longer-term solutions. I don’t know if that’s going to involve something more permanent. I have a feeling that the cost of moving the fire hall is going to be prohibitive.”
A final consultant’s report, with analysis and recommendations, is expected to be presented to the committee in the new year.
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karl.yu@nanaimobulletin.com
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