Officials broke ground Monday on the site of a long-awaited second fire station in LaSalle.
The west station, to be built at 2160 Front Road, which was the location of the town’s Centennial Arena before it was torn down in 2015, is expected to be operational by early 2025.
The nearly two-acre site will house a two-bay, 14,500-square-foot fire hall. JP Thompson Architects designed the new station and Gulf Developments will build it.
“Today as we break ground for this new fire hall, we mark a significant milestone in the journey of the LaSalle Fire Service,” said Fire Chief Ed Thiessen. “This facility represents the investment from the town to the safety and protection of its community.
“With the town’s growth, our needs have evolved and this new fire hall will provide our firefighters with a modern facility and state-of-the-art equipment to address the challenges of both today and tomorrow.”
Thiessen also credited retired chief Dave Sutton, who was present for the ceremony, for his dogged determination to see two additional stations built in the town.
LaSalle Council approved the almost $9-million construction bid earlier in October.
“Building a second fire station shows our commitment to building a safer LaSalle,” said Mayor Crystal Meloche, before shovels went into the ground.
“Our town’s population is growing and as it continues to expand with new homes, condos and businesses, it is our duty to meet the National Fire Protection Association standards.”
Meloche was joined by councillors Terry Burns, Jeff Renaud, Sue Desjarlais, Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo, Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata and other town officials, LaSalle firefighters and LaSalle police at the site on a blustery afternoon.
Fire Station 2 is part of the town’s 10-year plan that will eventually see three stations to increase coverage across the growing municipality.
LaSalle’s main fire service location is at 1900 Normandy St.
A third fire hall is expected to be built in 2031 on Laurier Parkway in the area of Disputed Road.