Construction for Union Bay Fire Hall Kicks Off

Construction has officially kicked off for the Union Bay Fire Hall, celebrating the power of partnership and a shared dedication to community safety and sustainability. The winning contractor for the project is Knappett Industries, an island-based construction company.

“This is a big day. Many community members and fire department members have worked towards a new fire hall in Union Bay, in some cases for decades. It is an amazing feeling to finally break ground, and I look forward to having the community join us at the opening.”
–    Daniel Arbour, Electoral Area A Director

“Today marks a milestone of nearly three decades in the making. For close to 30 years, our community and this department have worked, planned, and hoped for a new fire hall that meets the needs of the people we serve. Seeing construction finally begin is more than just a building going up, it’s a commitment to safety, resilience, and the future of our region. I’m incredibly proud of our members, grateful to our community, and honoured to witness this long-awaited project become a reality.”
–    Ian W Ham, Fire Chief (Union Bay Fire Rescue)

“A modern fire hall with enhanced capacity will give people in Union Bay and surrounding areas peace of mind knowing help will be there when it’s needed most. I want to extend my gratitude to the Union Bay Volunteer Fire Department, the Comox Valley Regional District, and Union Bay residents for their dedication and teamwork in bringing this project to life. This is a real testament to what a strong, caring community can accomplish.”
–    Josie Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim

“The start of construction of the new Union Bay Fire Hall is a major milestone in boosting emergency response capacity and enhancing community safety. Our government is proud to have supported this project, which will give first responders the resources they need to keep people safe and serve residents for decades to come.”
–    Will Greaves, Member of Parliament for Victoria

Initial planning for a new Union Bay Fire Hall has been ongoing since 2016. Staff have been working with elected officials and community partners to identify a new location and design for the fire hall, which will be located at 5235 Island Highway South. The approved design has been created to maintain cost efficiency and sustainability as the community grows.

Project funding includes:

• Canada Community Building Funds (Canada) – $2.3 million
  • $1.7 million – Area A
  • $200k – Area B
  • $400k – Area C
• Growing Communities Funding (BC) – $1.195 million
• Reserves – $50,000
• Long-term borrowing – $2.755 million

For more information on the project and for updates, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/unionbayfire.

The Comox Valley Regional District is a partnership of three electoral areas and three municipalities operating on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of the land. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on providing sustainable services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.

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Media Contact:

Bruce Green
Regional Rural Fire Chief
250-337-8121