The cost to build a new fire hall for the Dashwood Fire Department has gone up.
The major project was successfully endorsed by Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area F (Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, Meadowood), Area G (French Creek, San Pareil, Little Qualicum, Englishman River) and Electoral Area H (Bowser, Qualicum Bay, Deep Bay) communities in 2019 through an alternative approval process that authorized the borrowing of $4,000,000 to pay for the $4,150,000 cost. That includes $150,000 from the Dashwood reserves for the temporary building needed to accommodate the department during construction phase.
Since then the price tag has gone up to $6,313,967. To make up for the shortfall of $2,094,967, RDN staff has recommended drawing from Community Works Funds now that fire hall constructions qualify under the provincial guidelines.
READ MORE: Dashwood approves $4 million fire hall
The progress of the project was interrupted and was temporarily shelved due to COVID-19.
Staff, at the electoral areas services committee meeting on Nov. 18, recommended Area F allocate from its CWF $222,067, Area G $1,185,751, and $687,149 from Area H.
Area F and Area G directors, respectively, Leanne Salter and Lehann Wallace agreed to increase the budget for the project but declined to endorse the CWF recommendation. They suggested staff to look for another alternative.
A motion was made to refer the motion back to staff.
Area H director Stuart McLean had asked staff not to wait until next year to provide an alternative solution due to the escalating cost of the project. He requested staff present a report at the next RDN board meeting on Dec. 7.
Council approved.