The Fire Board asked Salt Springers in a referendum to approve a plan to build a new Fire Hall. The Board asked S2 Architects, of Calgary, to give a basic floor plan study and an artist rendering for our discussion. They also did a preliminary estimate of the costs. They estimated the cost at 13.7 million.

The Board then asked the community for permission to borrow $9.7 million with the total cost of of about $13.7 million. We received a 75% yes vote. Thank you Salt Spring!

So where are we now?

We went to tender for the design and JDA Architects of Vancouver were selected based on experience and they had the lowest fee plan. They hired engineers and gel tech experts and designed a building slightly larger with at 12,500 sq. Ft. Floor plan and a sheer wall structure to handle a 9.0 Earthquake. The Sheer walls add about 4,000 of exterior space to handle the steel columns and concrete base. The total space is 16,500 sq. Ft, with 12,500 of usable floor space.

We went to tender on each component and we are almost finished construction. We now know the probable final cost will be$13.5 million.

What does that mean?

The Board delivered a slightly larger new Fire Hall for $200,000 less than first estimated!

Put another way, we delivered a better building for less money! A very good deal indeed.

There is a candidate who rants and will not understand the difference beteen usable floor space and the exterior space for a post disaster building.

Three candidates are running as a team to finish the project and to work to keep costs in line with inflation going forward. We ask that you vote on Saturday the 11th for Cook, Hetherington and Martin. One for the team that delivers a good deal for Salt Spring!