MIDDLETON, N.S. — A new community centre and fire hall has been a long time in the making for Middleton, but if local residents and businesses support a new funding drive, the project should become reality.
“After several years of hard work on this project, the final push is on towards the completion of Middleton’s new Community Centre and Fire Hall,” a media release said June 12. “With a ‘last mile’ fundraising target of $1,400,000, the campaign will take many shapes and forms.”
The fundraising effort refers to the launch of a major capital campaign that kicks off June 15 at the current fire hall.
In the release, Middleton Fire Department and the town said the new Community Centre and Fire Hall will consist of four apparatus bays, a large community space with a kitchen and canteen area, and will be available as a comfort station in times of emergency.
Middleton’s current fire hall was built in 1950, with an addition added to the entire length of the north end in the late 1970s.
“A facility assessment completed in 2015, estimated $1.7 to $2.2 million of capital repairs and modifications would be needed to meet current codes and standards, as well as to address space requirements for overcrowding of equipment and vehicles,” the release said. “These upgrades would result in a significant reduction to the community space that is also in need of improvements.”
The current apparatus bays do not provide enough space for firefighters to safely put on equipment and open doors at the same time. In addition, the size of trucks are getting larger and, unless a specialized size truck is purchased, they will not fit in the current space and it can be more expensive.
Construction of the new Community Centre and Fire Hall is proposed for spring 2020. The site of the new building is across from town hall on Commercial Street.
See Also: SITE SELECTED
The ‘Last Mile’ fundraising campaign officially kicks off on June 15 at an open house and methods and options to contribute are plentiful.
As well, all donation options will be available as of June 14 on the Town web site at www.discovermiddleton.ca/firehall
SCHEDULE
Following is the schedule for the June 15 open house and announcement:
1 p.m. -- Doors of Firehall Open
-- Trucks will be left in the bays to give the public a chance to see how close things are
-- A rendering of the new building and plot will be on display and questions will be answered
-- Brochures will be distributed
-- Sparky the fire dog will be there
-- Neighbouring fire departments will be present with their equipment
2 p.m. -- Deputy Mayor Gary Marshall and Chief Mike Toole announce the launch
4 p.m. -- Chicken BBQ will be available for sale as first event of the campaign
-- $12 per plate for one-quarter chicken, potato salad, coleslaw. Eat in or take out available
DID YOU KNOW?
-- The Middleton and Area Fire Department was established in 1890 and provides service to the Town of Middleton and surrounding communities in the County of Annapolis.
-- The MFD takes an average of 100 calls per year; 50 per cent of which are in the communities surrounding the Town of Middleton, in the County of Annapolis.
-- The department has 35 members serving this expansive area.
