Extra work will be needed to convert a former commercial building into a new fire station and paramedic station in Alfred.

The consulting firm IDEA Inc. was retained by the Township of Alfred and Plantagenet to investigate the feasibility and implement the conversion of structure on Highway 17 at the western edge of the village into the new facility. At the May 6 township council meeting, Dino Di Sano of IDEA reported to council that based on understanding of the space and the expertise of subconsultants, providing the necessary upgrades to the building will cost $1,795,188 for Phase 1 and $437,108 for Phase 2 of the project.

Di Sano said the fire department and the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) paramedics will share the building, but each have separate space within it.

He said that while the building is suited for its planned use, it was originally built with a wood frame.

“How do we turn this building into something that’s compliant with the building code?” Di Sano remarked.

He noted that as a fire station, the building will experience increased water use, and greater requirements for post-disaster planning. He said it needs a new septic system.

“We have to do this work to develop the project,” he said.

Di Sano further noted the original building had minimal heating and cooling, and some of the units are near the end of their life. The roof will be completely removed and reinforced to meet post-disaster requirements. The garage doors at the current fire station are almost new and will be reused at the new location.

Di Sano is hopeful costs can be reduced by the time the project goes to tender, which is planned for June. There are also several possible costs which are not currently included in the estimated project cost.

Councillor Ian Walker asked what some of those additional items are.  

Di Sano said they include possible soil decontamination around the old septic bed, furniture, and equipment.

 “I’m just looking to have numbers beside those,” Walker said.

Di Sano said some can be added to the budget, but others are unknown.

Councillor Benoit Lamarche asked if the project tenders will include both phases.

Di Sano said aspects of Phase 2 would hopefully be included.

Councillor Jean-Pierre Cadieux defended council’s previous decision to purchase the property and building for the new fire and paramedic station.

”I think we still did the right thing by buying the land and the building,” he said, believing there will be savings from the approach taken.