Uxbridge fire hall timeline shrouded in smoke

UXBRIDGE -- If there was any doubt whether a new fire hall will be built next year, that confusion disappeared Monday afternoon.

The Township's finance committee reviewed fire department spending for 2010 and the main topic was the fire hall, which will likely end up next to the arena on Brock Street. But when it will be built is a question still shrouded in smoke.

In the initial budget reviewed by councillors Nov. 16, $1.7 million was set aside for the new fire hall, with more than $1 million of that slated to be borrowed. But by the end of the session, that had been slashed to just $40,000 to pay for architectural drawings relating to the proposed structure, with the project pushed to at least next year.

Despite the consensus to delay construction, Regional Councillor Howie Herrema, chairman of finance and emergency services, dismissed comments the hall is premature due to limited growth in Uxbridge.

"This (hall) is not about growth, if it was, development charges would be there (to cover costs)," he said. "This is about sustaining our current level of service."

The councillor expressed concerns about rural coverage if service contracts with Stouffville and East Gwillimbury should fall through, currently in place until 2012. Coun. Gordon Highet echoed this concern.

"At the end of the day, we're going to need a fire hall," said Coun. Highet. "My concern is if Stouffville pulls out, what happens to the west part of the township?"

The Township has conducted soil studies and the land next to the arena seems to be the most suitable spot for the hall and provides the most effective coverage, explained Fire Chief Scott Richardson.

The total cost of the hall is an estimated $3.7 million, however councillors are hoping the completed drawings will qualify the project for provincial or federal grants.