Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS) hosted a neighbourhood barbecue on Thursday night for residents in the vicinity of the newly constructed Fire Hall 8 located at 30811 Blueridge Drive.
The barbecue was a promise made by Fire Chief Don Beer to demonstrate to the residents that the AFRS would be a great addition to the neighbourhood.
Approximately 120 residents and their children attended the event, toured the fire hall and enjoyed the fellowship of their new firefighting neighbours.
Beer said the construction of the new hall was a result of Abbotsford city council’s support for the Fire Rescue Service Master Plan’s vision of improving emergency response times for urban and rural neighbourhoods.
The fire hall was designed by Chernoff Thompson Architects, and the project was managed by MHPM. It was constructed by Pax Construction at a cost of $ 3.3 million using a combination of traditional red brick and corrugated metal siding.
The public artwork on the front windows of the fire hall was commissioned by Kilvert & Kilvert using two integrated and complementary conceptual components.
The enduring “Tree of Life” was selected as a visual metaphor underscoring the stature and significance of the fire hall within the community and the “Phoenix Rising” was selected for the spirit of the firefighter and those who have survived the impact of fire on their lives.
The application of traditional East Indian paisley stencil design onto the tree trunk emphasized the integration and vitality of the Indo-Canadian Community within the City of Abbotsford and the immediate area served by the fire hall.
The official opening and dedication of Fire Hall 8 will take place on Monday, July 30 at 2 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
