During the October 9th Town Council meeting, the future of public safety took centre stage as discussions focused on building a new fire hall for Outlook. While the council reviewed a variety of topics, it was the proposed fire hall that sparked significant interest, underscoring its importance for the community.
CAO Kevin Trew presented cost estimates for the new Outlook-Rudy fire hall, pegging the overall expense between $1 million and $1.2 million. This estimate includes contingency measures and engineering costs. To date, the project has secured $812,000 in cash and committed funds, with further in-kind services expected.
Council unanimously supported the Outlook-Rudy Joint Protective Services Committee's recommendation to proceed with the project. The new facility is slated for 211 McKenzie Street North, with construction expected to begin in the spring of 2025.
"It's exciting," said Councillor Sharon Bruce. "It's good to see it come together what seems very quickly."
Some concerns were raised, including by Councillor Kevin Grotheim, who questioned whether the project might need to be paused due to the upcoming municipal election. However, Councillor Bruce emphasized that the project has already secured most of the necessary funding. The decision-making process will now fall to the next council once the tender process is complete.
With confidence in the project’s timeline, Councillor Justin Turton put forth a motion to approve proceeding to tender in the fall of 2024 and begin construction next spring. The motion passed, solidifying the council’s commitment to advancing the new fire hall.
The fire hall, which will serve both the Town of Outlook and the RM of Rudy, is a crucial infrastructure project for the community. As it moves closer to becoming a reality, residents can anticipate enhanced safety services that will benefit the entire region.