Building of the new $1.8 million fire hall in East Sooke will begin in June and it is expected to be completed in eight to 10 months. It took over four years from planning to awarding the contract.
At the Capital Regional District board on Wednesday, May 14, a contract was awarded to Verity Construction. The construction company is the same one that built the Juan de Fuca Services building. The total cost of the fire hall and accompanying land, utilities, architects, etc, is $2.2 million. The residents of East Sooke passed a referendum in 2013 enabling the project to move forward.
Regional Director Mike Hicks “donated” $150,000 in gas tax revenue to extend the water to the fire hall.
The building will be 7,000 sq. feet and built of pre-engineered steel. It will have six truck bays, a gear and radio room, kitchen, training room, washrooms and a hose tower.
“I think this is an absolutely wonderful achievement for East Sooke,” said Juan de Fuca Area director Mike Hicks.
He commended the past and present commissioners, Fire Chief Roger Beck, and Ben Martin who worked so hard on this and said they deserved the gratitude of all of East Sooke.
“It’s a tremendous achievement.”
“Mike Hicks came up with an extra $20,000 for this,” said Brian White of the East Sooke Fire Commission. This comment was made in reference to additional costs that came up. However, after eliminating an out building and not paving a certain section, the East Sooke Firehall will still come in on budget.
“We got it in, on budget,” said Dr. Brian White, Communications Director for the Fire Commissio
