Plans to upgrade the Minto Fire Department’s Harriston station are moving ahead, as Minto council awarded a tender for the project to an Ayton-based company on Jan. 22.
Council accepted the tender of Domm Construction to handle the job for $698,000. While surprised Domm’s bid was the only one submitted, Minto Fire Chief Chris Harrow noted, “We are quite confident it’s a good price that is reflective of the job.”
The chief pointed out the company has experience building three fire halls previously, including Minto’s Palmerston fire station, and the tender price is within the project budget.
The expansion will include the addition of a second floor, which will house a meeting room.
The renovations will also create additional office space and storage for bunker gear.
Harrow said a second staircase to the upper flow won’t be included in the project, meaning the upstairs meeting room will be restricted to gatherings of no more than 60 people due to fire regulations.
However, he doesn’t consider the limitation a problem, as meetings involving more than 60 people are seldom held and, if necessary, could be held in the truck bay area.
“There’s not a fire department in Wellington County that has a meeting room that holds more than 60 people,” Harrow pointed out. Removing the staircase from the plan will save between $30,000 and $40,000, Harrow estimated.
A plan to include an enhanced façade to make the building fit in with other historic buildings in the downtown area, including the newly-renovated library and the Harriston Town Hall Theatre, was also included in the final plans.
Mayor George Bridge said the improvements to the station are overdue.
“You have to remember this building was built in 1973 and we haven’t really done much work on it,” he said.
