Much like the calls to which the fire department regularly responds, firefighter Steve Ballantyne refers to the process to build a new fire hall here as “a battle.”
Ballantyne, a key member of the hall committee, has worked for about six years on finding a site, designing a new building and coordinating the details of the new Station 50 – not to mention overcoming soil issues and a few other setbacks.
But, as he proudly noted at the grand opening for the new building on Aug. 17, the fire department did not let the arduous project impact service delivery.
“We never missed a call. We were never a minute late,” Ballantyne told a large crowd at the ceremony inside the hall.
“Our guys did a fantastic job.”
Councillor Barb Tocher, the emcee for the grand opening ceremony, was one of several speakers at the event to express their gratitude for their unwavering commitment of town firefighters.
“It’s not just a job [for them], it’s their other family,” Tocher said.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott also thanked the firefighters and helped present long service medals to eight members of the Erin department.
Fire Chief Dan Callaghan and deputy chief Jim Peavoy credited their wives for their support throughout the process of building a new hall. Peavoy also made sure to thank those living nearby the site for their patience.
Ivan Gray, Hillsburgh’s first fire chief, offered a brief history of the local department, noting it was a major fire on Feb. 24, 1965 that prompted village politicians to establish the department.
Gray, who resigned as fire chief three years later, noted much has changed in 48 years and he thanked current members of the Erin fire department.
“The community is very lucky to have such dedicated people to serve them,” he said.
Mayor Lou Maieron thanked members of the fire hall committee, including Tocher, for their dedication.
Noting a new ambulance will be stationed at the hall 12 hours a day, Maieron also lauded several politicians who lobbied for the ambulance, including himself, Arnott, county councillor Ken Chapman and Warden Chris White.
Stephen Dewar, chief of Guelph-Wellington EMS, called the new fire hall “a showpiece” and said paramedics are happy to have a home in Hillsburgh.
“Thank you for the opportunity to move in with you … we’re happy to be here,” Dewar said.
Ballantyne pointed out to the crowd some of the features of the new building, which he expects will have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years, including:
– extra large bays;
– a ventilation system for the bunker gear room and one to extract truck emissions;
– a spot ready for the future installation of a generator;
– a roof designed for possible installation of solar panels;
– a high roof design to allow trucks to dry easier (and prevent mould);
– a large meeting room that can be rented by the public;
– a gym for firefighters with donated equipment; and
– 3,500 square feet of extra space that can be used as the town sees fit.
Callaghan said officials wanted a new hall that was both practical and energy efficient and could meet the future needs of the department, as well as house an ambulance.
He thanked council for the foresight in recognizing the need for a larger building, and also lauded firefighters who donated their time to help lower some costs.
