A proposal to fund an assessment of the current Hosmer Fire Hall will be considered by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors at its September board meeting next week.

“I’ve heard from members of the community with concerns about the proposal to relocate the fire hall and have asked for an assessment of the existing hall to be prepared,” said Electoral Area A Director Thomas McDonald.

“This assessment will assist the board in affirming or amending the decision on how best to continue serving the service area.”

If funding is approved by the board, a building assessment will be completed of the existing fire hall to determine its suitability for continued use, as well as required expansion, to meet the needs of the Hosmer Fire Protection Service Area.

In September 2022, the RDEK Board approved the purchase of land for a potential new fire hall location. To that end, staff began negotiating with a landowner and in August 2023, entered into a conditional agreement to purchase land at the corner Kmiecik and Dicken Roads.

This agreement had to remain confidential during the negotiations. The agreement establishes the parameters for purchase of the land, subject to required rezoning and subdivision approval as well as reaffirming the decision to relocate the fire hall.

“I recognize the importance of undertaking the assessment and sharing the results with the community prior to moving forward with further planning for a new fire hall,” stressed McDonald.

The Request for Decision for up to $20,000 in funding from the Area A portion of the Elk Valley Tax Sharing funds will be considered by the Board of Directors at its September 8 meeting.

e-KNOW file photo

RDEK

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