The stage is now set for a referendum asking residents to borrow money for a new firehall in the Red Bluff area.
A vote will take place on October 26th for residents in the South Quesnel/Red Bluff area, and there will be a couple of early voting opportunities as well.
Mary Sjostrom, the CRD Director for Area A, says an upgrade is desperately needed.
“It’s something that we all know, with the seasons we’ve been having and as the area continues to grow we need to be protected, and that in my mind is the safety and well being of all the residents, so that is certainly number one for me. I know that we don’t have enough trucks on top of the hill if we have an incident so by adding two bays that’s complementary.”
Sjostrom says the current facility is not up to code and doesn’t even have a place for female fire fighters to shower.
It was built back in 1981 and enables the Quesnel Volunteer Fire Department to provide fire protection to properties in Red Bluff, Dragon Lake, Richbar, and South Quesnel.
Sjostrom says they looked at all options.
“We have really done our homework. We’ve compared a renovation of the building, which is considerably higher. The proposed up to is 3.25 million for an entirely new building with two additional bays which is much needed with the increase in the population and the zoning area up there, and it could range anywhere from 4.5 and 5 million for a reno.”
Sjostrom says the increase to taxpayers would be $21.40 per $100,000 of assessed value.
That works out to $70.62 per year for the average home based on a $330,000 assessed value.
Sjostrom says they want to make sure people have all the details they need prior to the vote.
“There will be a mail out going out here in the next 2 to 3 weeks I believe, a mail out to all residents that are in the fire protection area as well as on October 9th we’re going to have an open house. So you’ll get an opportunity to come and chat, and you can certainly call me in the meantime if you’ve got concerns or questions. I just want everybody to be really informed of the need and the reasoning and any questions they might have.”
Voting for the referendum on October 26th will be at Ecole Red Bluff Lhtako Elementary School.
Voters can also cast ballots on October 16th and on the 21st at the Quesnel & District Arts & Recreation Centre.
Mail ballot packages are also available by request for any voter wishing to cast their vote by mail.
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