A new three-storey public safety building at 500 Park Place in Esquimalt, which will house the Esquimalt Fire Department, the Emergencies Operation Centre and Captial Region District offices, is scheduled to break ground this summer.
Last year, the project scope had been adjusted after the construction manager presented the township with an “unexpected” budget of $62.2 million, so council opted for an alternative design concept.
“The old fire station, having reached the end of its usable life, necessitated this crucial upgrade,” said Matt Furlot, Fire Chief, Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services. “The new facility will not only provide a state-of-the-art, seismically engineered structure but also essential training amenities such as a classroom and a high-angle training tower. Ensuring firefighter safety is paramount, and features such as a dedicated decontamination area reflect our adherence to best practices.”
The four-bay apparatus apron will be in the same location as the old firehall facing Carlisle Street. On the ground floor, the main entrance will be angled to extend public thoroughfare into the building. At the upper floors, the massing is angled away from the neighbouring residential building to the west.
The second and third floors will house the EOC, fire rescue administrative offices, dorms, CRD office space and training areas.
The project is targeted for completion in the summer of 2026.
Read More: Esquimalt grapples with $62.2M safety building budget