Work has begun on Springhill’s new $6.1-million fire station.
“This is a great project for Springhill and the Municipality of Cumberland,” project manager for the municipality Roger MacIsaac said as footings were being poured on the property. “The need for a new fire station was identified during the fire services review two years ago and this station will serve as one of the four hub stations in the municipality.”
The project was included in the 2024-25 Municipality of Cumberland capital budget.
MacIsaac said the existing fire station is more than 50 years old and has served the community well, but this new building will serve the needs of the fire service now but well into the future.
Iron Maple Constructors Inc. was selected in March to design and build the new fire station. It’s the company’s second major construction project for the municipality in recent years. It completed the new Pugwash Library that opened in early 2023.
“We’re very pleased to be given the opportunity to complete this project for the municipality,” foreman/site superintendent Dylan MacIsaac said.
Once the footings are in place, the project coordinator expects work on the walls – including insulation – will begin very soon and progress through the remainder of the summer into fall when he hopes they’ll begin erecting the structural steel.
It’s hoped the building will be completed and ready for occupancy in spring 2025.
It’s one of two new fire halls the municipality plans to build as it moves to a hub model of fire service. It plans to build a new fire hall in Parrsboro in the coming years.
Kendell Spence spent 23 years as a member of the Springhill Fire Department, including the last four as chief. He was recently appointed the municipality’s first fire services manager.
“This is going to be a tremendous asset for the fire service in Cumberland County,” Spence said. “It will serve not only the Springhill area, but also serve as a support hub for neighbouring fire departments.”
The Springhill fire station was built in 1972.