Fire Hall Project Update

July 14, 2025

The City of Fernie has completed the conceptual design and Class C cost estimate for a new fire hall. The facility has been designed with a focus on firefighter safety, operational efficiency, and long-term community resilience, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective footprint.

The refined design and project budget were presented to Council on July 8, alongside a proposed funding strategy. On July 15, Council will consider 1st, 2nd and 3rd reading for a fire hall loan authorization bylaw, and directing staff to pursue grant funding through the Canada Community Building Fund- Strategic Priorities Fund for the fire hall project.

Key Features of the proposed approximately 15,800 sq ft. facility include:

  • Four drive-through apparatus bays, hose tower, and dedicated training spaces.
  • Decontamination and turnout gear storage areas meeting modern standards.
  • Multi-purpose space for meetings, emergency coordination, training and community use.
  • Sustainable and resilient design that includes high-efficiency elements, and meets post-disaster classification requirements.
  • A compact, stacked building design that is adaptable to accommodate growth and changes in service delivery.
  • Durable, cost-effective materials and simplified site features.

The total project budget is $16 million, and includes construction and supporting costs:

  • $13.6 million – Construction of the fire hall
    For a right-sized facility that meets the operational needs of Fernie Fire & Emergency Services now and into the future.

  • $2.05 million – Project contingency (15%)
    Set aside to address risks such as supply chain delays, weather, or unforeseen site conditions.

  • $95,000 – Ball diamond upgrades
    To offset the loss of Servello Field at Prentice Park, the City has consulted with user groups and proposed improvements at Hospital Field and James White Park including shale resurfacing, fencing, safety enhancements, and new field equipment.

  • $100,000 – Gravel access route
    To connect the new fire hall site to the Pavilion and other amenities within Prentice Park.

  • $270,000 – Supporting infrastructure and insurance
    Includes:

    • $150,000 for utility servicing (BC Hydro and Fortis)

    • $60,000 for IT infrastructure

    • $60,000 for construction insurance

In order to fund this project, the City has developed a funding strategy that includes using a mixture of City reserves, grant funding, a contribution from the Regional District of East Kootenay (as defined in our fire service agreement for providing fire service at the ski hill) and borrowing.

The proposed funding breakdown is as follows:

  • $7 million – Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) grant *pending a successful application.
    A competitive federal infrastructure grant administered through the Canada Community Building Fund. 

  • $4 million – City of Fernie reserves
    Allocated from accumulated municipal reserves to reduce the overall borrowing requirement.

  • $1.4 million – Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) *pending an updated agreement
    A capital contribution reflecting the shared benefit of the new fire hall for the service area, per the existing fire service agreement.

  • $3.5 million – Municipal borrowing
    To cover the remaining project costs.

A major component of the proposed strategy is applying for a $7 million grant through the Strategic Priorities Fund. Fire Halls are eligible for funding through this funding stream. However, to be eligible, all other funding sources must be confirmed before the September 12 grant deadline. 

In response, staff are recommending that Council authorize approval-free borrowing under newly updated provincial legislation. This recent change, effective June 2025, doubles the borrowing limits that municipalities can access without requiring approval from electors through a referendum or alternate approval process. For the City of Fernie, this means that Council can now authorize a long-term loan of up to approximately $23.8 million (based on current interest rates), well above the amount required for this project.

Choosing the approval-free borrowing route allows the City to align the fire hall project timeline with the grant intake and maintain eligibility for grant funding that could significantly reduce the burden on taxpayers, and avoid the risk of delays and escalating costs associated with waiting for a referendum.

The referendum, previously anticipated for fall 2025, was to get community approval for borrowing the required amounts to fund the construction. As this is no longer a requirement for this project borrowing, and the timing no longer supports a referendum if the City wants to remain eligible for this critical grant funding, Staff are recommending advancing this project without a referendum. 

In order to continue advancing the project, the City will need to borrow the full amount, and wait for the announcement of the SPF grant recipients in Spring 2026. The full amount for the Loan Authorization Bylaw will be $12 million. This includes borrowing for the $3.5 million loan, the $7 million potential SPF grant funding, and the RDEK contribution.

A Council decision on the funding strategy and advancing the supporting loan authorization bylaw is expected at the July 15, 2025 Special Council Meeting.

The City is targeting breaking ground in spring 2026, and having an operational Fire Hall in serving the community in 2027. Follow our Let's Talk Fire Hall Replacement page for project updates.