Fundraising for a new fire hall for Nolalu’s emergency services department has begun in earnest, with the future facility slated to have a dual purpose as an emergency shelter.
“In this initial round, we are hoping to fundraise $200,000,” Nolalu fire Chief Sarah Shoemaker said on Monday. “This will be used towards the initial stages of clearing the land, putting in well, septic, and hydro (services), as well as prepping the site, and getting drawings done up.”
The new building — with an estimated $750,000 pricetag — is to be erected on a five-acre parcel of donated land on Highway 590 between First and Harju roads.
Nolalu’s existing fire hall located on Highway 588 is considered too small.
“We have outgrown it, and it does not have running water, which is a safety hazard for our firefighters as they are not able to properly decontaminate themselves after a fire, increasing their risk of cancer,” Shoemaker said.
Though Nolalu is officially unorganized and only has about 650 properties, it has enjoyed more success than other small communities when it comes to fundraising. Earlier this year, Nolalu’s emergency services department announced it had raised about $55,000 to acquire from southern Ontario two second-hand water-tanker trucks and outfit both vehicles with “essential fittings and hoses.”
The department has a stable core of 25 volunteer firefighters who respond to everything from wildfires to medical calls.
Provincial funding for the new fire hall project may become available, but is “not guaranteed,” Shoemaker said.
A 50-50 draw for the new fire-hall project is currently underway. More information is available online at nolalu5050.ca.
