The Municipal District of Bighorn has requested formal specifications from River's Bends Development developers regarding proposed construction of a first response fire hall in the hamlet of Dead Man's Flats.
The Municipal District of Bighorn has requested formal specifications from River's Bends Development developers regarding proposed construction of a first response fire hall in the hamlet of Dead Man's Flats.
Bighorn administration was directed at the regular meeting on Tuesday (April 14) to prepare a staff report in cooperation with River's Bend developers to identify terms and conditions of their offer to develop a first response fire hall in Dead Man's for its May meeting.
Bighorn Director of Planning Rob Ellis said administration hasn't received a formal letter from River's Bend indicating the developers would give the municipality the funds yet.
Administration worked with River's Bend over the past month on a staff report for the potential design of a fire hall. It also included the price tag, estimated in the $200,000 range for the building alone, which the developers have indicated a willingness to construct at their expense. However, the developer's offer is “time sensitive,” said Councillor Paul Ryan.
The motion to bring the understanding to light was brought forward by Ryan, which was unanimously passed following an in-camera session between Bighorn council and administration.
“I think we need to have a good understanding on behalf of our taxpayers,” Ryan said.
Ryan also brought up the question of whether Municipals Affairs would automatically grant a newly constructed fire hall a 10-minute response status or if a proven track record would have to be established.
The proposed design of the first response fire hall is a two-bay, 1,200 square foot, two-level facility, which would be located on an undeveloped space at First Street and First Avenue in the hamlet.
River's Bend brought forward a delegation last February that proposed a fire hall be built in Dead Man's to better accommodate safety and reduce building costs in its budding development.
It came forward following the discovery that Dead Man's is located outside a 10-minute fire response zone, meaning new homes would have to build to Alberta Building Code fire safety precautions. Developers estimated the cost at $10,000 to $20,000 per unit.
The Town of Canmore and Bighorn have an agreement where Canmore gives first response to Dead Man's as well as Harvie Heights. But at Canmore's March 31 meeting, it had been determined neither Bighorn hamlet falls within its 10-minute fire response area. Bighorn took the February delegation proposal as an opportunity to explore its option to better suit its ratepayers.
A main concern for a potential Dead Man's fire hall is volunteer firefighters and whether there will be enough to maintain the hall and train them to a certain standard.
Bighorn Fire Chief Rick Lyster said it takes eight to 10 weeks of formal training to have a fully-trained volunteer. He wouldn't put the public's safety at risk without first seeing if a potential Dead Man's fire hall has the same capabilities as the Exshaw crew.
