2022-08-17

Mahone Bay volunteer fire department marks grand opening of new station

MAHONE BAY - The public's invited to participate in a special event marking the opening of the town's new Hawthorn Road fire station.

The official ceremony starts at 11 a.m. Aug. 20 with a community barbecue and cake following the formalities. The event, at civic address 41 Hawthorn Rd., runs until 2 p.m.

"There will be opportunities to tour the new hall; view displays of photos, records and items collected over the department's 100 years of service," said the volunteer fire department in its August newsletter. Tours of the truck bay and activities for the youngsters are also available during the celebration.

Firefighters also hope the new five-bay station will attract new recruits to join their ranks.

"Make sure you talk to one of the many firefighters who will be on site that day," said the newsletter article. "Feel free to ask them about what it's like to volunteer and grab an application form if you are interested."

The new $4.4 million station is just metres away from the 60-year-old former station, located on Kinburn Street. The new structure was also built to be an emergency shelter in times of community need. It's equipped with public shower facilities, a generator, and commercial kitchen.

The town's fire chief, Adam Ekins, was unavailable for a phone interview but previously explained in the department's July newsletter the modern fire station "will allow for faster and safer responses because each piece of equipment is readily accessible."

Mahone Bay firefighters service a district that includes the communities of Clearland, Maders Cove and Oakland, in addition to the town.

Lunenburg County has seen new fire stations pop-up in other communities in recent years.

In the nearby community of Blockhouse in 2017, volunteer firefighters there celebrated the opening of a new $824,000 fire station on Highway 325. It replaced a building established in the 1950s.

In 2013, members of the Italy Cross-Middlewood and district volunteer fire department hosted an open house to mark the opening of its new Highway 103 station.

As for what the town's civic government plans to do with the former fire hall, there are already intentions to use it for temporary non-emergency services usage as other options are considered. In recent weeks, town council cleared organizers of the upcoming scarecrow festival to rent the community room between August and October should the volunteers need it.

Weeks ago, a Blockhouse-based physiotherapy business contacted the town about an idea to convert the former fire hall into a collaborative health centre. Town staff were directed to contact the business operator to discuss the matter in more detail.

Meanwhile, the town government recently approved $8,000 in survey and valuation spending aimed at the old fire hall property as part of its 2022-23 budget.