Hanover will celebrate the new net zero firehall on May 10 with a grand opening ceremony.
Public members are welcome to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony that is scheduled to start at 10 a.m., followed by tours and demonstrations by the Hanover Fire and Rescue team.
Dignitaries from the federal, provincial and regional governments will join Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson, as well as representatives from the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office, to celebrate the facility’s opening.
“The Ontario government is proud to invest in our frontline heroes in Hanover through the Skills Development Fund,” David Piccini, Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said in a news release. “Hanover’s cutting-edge firehall will ensure the fire and rescue team have a new and improved space that will enhance their capability to serve and keep their community safe.”
Hanover Fire and Rescue officially moved to the new facility on Dec. 8, and have been responding from this location since that time.
“We are excited to celebrate a new era of fire and emergency services in a facility built for the future,” Paterson said in the release. “Residents are encouraged to attend the grand opening and see firsthand the state-of-the-art, new net zero firehall that provides our valued fire and rescue team with the space and training elements necessary for their important work.”
The firehall construction commenced in the fall of 2023, with local companies playing key roles, including design work completed by Dawley Engineering and building construction by Domm Construction Limited.
It features four drive through apparatus bays, training area, honour hall, hose tower, gear room and fire staff offices.
Net zero means the facility will produce as much energy as it uses. The firehall is Net Zero Energy and Zero Carbon, with high efficiency equipment, controls, air exchangers, heat recovery, lighting and upgraded thermal insulation. Solar production, complete with real time monitoring, is installed on the facility to ensure Net Zero Energy performance long term.
The total project cost was $7 million, and funding was received from Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Province of Ontario. As well, more than $40,000 was raised through a sponsorship campaign for the training area.
The grand opening will include behind-the-scenes guided tours of the facility, as well as live rescue related demonstrations. The Hanover Firefighters’ Association will also host a by donation BBQ.
This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.