The new fire hall in La Glace will cost more than expected. The project was originally budgeted at $1.57 million, but County of Grande Prairie CAO Bill Rogan says that was based on the recent construction of the hall in Sexsmith.
“We came to realize they got a very competitive pricing back then. The economy has picked up locally and prices of commodities like steel… have gone up. The distance to haul concrete and the price of concrete has gone up.”
Drywall, lumber, and labour costs have also increased in that time.
A tender for construction was awarded last week to South West Design for a total cost of $1,924,500. Rogan explains the difference of $475,000 will be taken from reserves.
“We do carry a facility replacement reserve and this will be replacing the current fire hall in La Glace so we were able to draw on that fund for this project.”
A review done in March 2017 found that the current facility needs to be replaced as the hamlet’s population is growing and the services the fire department offers are expanding. The contractor has assured the County it is ready to get shovels in the ground.
The County is also going to be looking at whether improvements to the community water service in La Glace could benefit the new fire hall.
“We’re looking at doing some changes to the community water system out there and part of that looks at whether we would service the site from that community service or whether we’ll draw from a well,” says Rogan.
That decision won’t be made until council next discusses its budget this fall. The goal is to open the facility this time next year.
