Berwick & District welcomes community to its new firefighting facility

BY SARA KEDDY

Kings County Register

From worries of swamps to foot-sucking mud at the sod-turning, Berwick firefighters put up with early winter blizzards - but opened their new fire station Nov. 23 with a standing crowd.

The $2.5 million station and community hall finished - guess what? On time and on budget,” Berwick Mayor John Prall said. “We’re very proud of what has been accomplished with this hall.”

Prall stood at the podium during the day-late ceremony - a parade from the old fire hall to the new was also cancelled due to the snow - with Berwick Fire Commission chairman Brian Hirtle, a 50/ 50 partner in the project. Both commented on the strength of the agreement between the town and the commission for fire services. “We have a common goal: to have the finest fire department we could have,” Hirtle said, “and may we allow this building to be a symbol of what can be accomplished through co-operation and collaboration.”

There was also a hand from the provincial fire grant program: a $250,000 cheque. Kings North MLA Mark Parent, Kings South MLA David Morse and Kings West MLA Leo Glavine were all in attendance. Parent also took a moment to call the station’s commitment to green technology a “shining light in Nova Scotia, leading the way in caring for the environment.”

The station has foot-thick walls, solar panels, heat capturing capability and many other energy-efficient features. A windmill is also to be erected.

Roscoe Construction vice president Dave Logie said the town, commission and firefighters’ vision allowed his company’s designers “creativity. “In this case, we were able to do more than build a box.”

Logie said everyone from company president Ken Roscoe to the local contractors on the site made up the team. “If anyone ever wonders how you could build a building like this in Berwick, where you would get the contractors and tradesmen - we have them all here in the local community.”

Department veteran Cliff Adams was thanked for his donation of site fill, ABL Engineering for proving the value of a project manager, Dr. Jim Rettallack for energy consulting. There were countless businesses and individuals who provided services, donations and support for the project. “This is a very special day for the fire department - it took us over 10 years, countless hours and there were feelings this day would never come,” Fire Chief Laurie Saunders said. “With sheer determination, it’s here. “Thank you to members of the fire sub-committee for their work and perseverance, and to the citizens of the town and district for their continued support over all these years. “Welcome to our new home.”