The retrofits and upgrades to the Mesachie Lake fire hall have been completed.
An announcement from the Cowichan Valley Regional District said the retrofit, which was accomplished with a $280,000 grant from Infrastructure Canada that was awarded in 2021, will extend the service life of the aging hall, which was built in 1940.
The fire hall is considered vital for the delivery of local community public services and firefighting operations in that area.
Mesachie Lake has maintained its own fire service since the community was established nearly 100 years ago.
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“The CVRD and the community considered the future of the Mesachie Lake fire department, in terms of its ability to maintain fire protection and emergency response services, given its proximity to Lake Cowichan and Honeymoon Bay, along with the high cost of upgrading the fire hall,” said Ian Morrison, the CVRD’s director for Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls.
“In response, the community rallied to preserve both the fire hall and the department, and we went to work to secure grant funding for both the fire hall retrofit and the replacement pumper truck.”
A facility condition assessment that was conducted in 2017 became the starting point for the scope of work for the retrofit project, with additional engineer’s, architect’s and quantity surveyor’s reports identifying further work required.
After a short delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction began in early 2023 and was completed in July.
The retrofit to the fire hall will provide health and safety improvements to its air quality for volunteer firefighters by replacing an obsolete oil-fuelled appliance, converting to electricity, and upgrading the existing ventilation system. Aligning with the CVRD’s Sustainable Service Delivery Plan framework and BC Building Code, the new energy improvements to the fire hall are also expected to reduce GHG emissions.
Improvements to the engine bay include creating a safer and more operationally effective space for firefighters to don their personal protective equipment and manoeuvre around and board the fire engine.
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“We’re very pleased to have the upgrades we need for our hard-working volunteer firefighters and rescue services community and appreciate all those who have been instrumental in making this project a reality,” said Mesachie Lake fire chief Kevin Smith.
“With the upgraded fire hall, we are better prepared than ever to respond to emergencies promptly, protect the Mesachie Lake community and continue hosting community engagement and fire safety education events at the fire hall.”
The residents of Mesachie Lake have been considering the future of their fire service since 2018, when it was determined significant investment would be required for the service to remain viable.
It had been determined that the fire hall required major structural and aesthetic upgrading, and the fire engine had reached the end of its life.
While the CVRD was applying for the grant from Infrastructure Canada, the fire department’s new fire engine was purchased in 2021 for $248,500 with contributions from the Teal Jones Group, Mosaic Forest Management, Northview Timber LTD, Pacific Marine Rescue Society, Gemini Falling Contracting and Tuck Brothers Contracting.
The Mesachie Lake firefighters will host an open house on Sept. 30 at the fire hall for Mesachie Lake residents and local government officials to showcase the department’s operations and celebrate the successful retrofit.