M.D. of Bonnyville Council agrees to transfer former Kopala building to BRFA

At its February 9 meeting, the M.D. Council agreed, in principle, to transfer the former Kopala building to the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA).

The building will house the administrative offices, Station 5 Bonnyville, EMS services, and 911 operations.

A meeting of the BRFA board late last week ended with a recommendation to make the move to the large industrial building on the outskirts of the Town of Bonnyville, which was purchased by the M.D. in 2020. The board also made a motion to pay the M.D. back for the $3.2
million property. BRFA has indicated they will fund any needed renovations.

“It’s exciting to see this progressing,” said Reeve Barry Kalinski. “It’s been a long time coming. Council hopes the BRFA will be happy in their new home.”

Council directed staff to bring back additional information about crafting agreements for repayment, and the transfer of property from the M.D. to the fire authority.

“I’m very happy with the BRFA Board’s decision recommendation to Town and MD Councils,” Dan Heney Regional Fire Chief of the Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority told Lakeland Connect. “With MD Council’s decision yesterday the BRFA is obviously excited about this project taking another step forward. There are still some details to work out so nothing is finalized but it’s nice to be moving forward again.”

The BRFA is an independent entity providing emergency services to the M.D. and Town of Bonnyville, including fire, EMS, and 911 operations.