New BRFA Station I building work getting closer to starting

The BRFA continues to move through the steps to start work at the new home of Station 1, just outside of town limits.

The first tender for the project work at the former Kopala building has closed and was awarded to Clarks Builders for interior work to re-purpose the standing building.

Regional Fire Chief Dan Heney says three are three separate tenders for improvement work that will total between $6-7 million.

The M.D. of Bonnyville has agreed to loan $4.5 million to the BRFA to complete this work, while the Fire Authority will assume the rest of the cost.

The second tender is the groundwork.

“That includes bringing the water and sewer under the highway, bringing lines that are NG 911 lines [Next Gen 911], under the highway, grading,” said Heney, who added that automatic fencing and gates round out that segment of work. 

“The plans for part two are with the M.D. We hope to hear back next week, we hope to be able to drop the tender for that part of the project…then we’ll start working on plans for how to help us to renovate the house. And that’s part three.” 

The contracts are signed with Clarks Builders. Heney anticipates after a few weeks that residents will notice action at that lot.

This will become the new home of Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority Station 5 and Station 1, EMS services, 911 operations, and the administrative offices.