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"Firefighters battle stubborn 7-hour blaze which ripped through industrial complex last Friday afternoon

On April 28, 1988 at approximately 2:20 p.m., a major fire broke out in an industrial complex on Bridge Street (Hwy. 11) in the Town of Bradford, which necessitated the closing of Hwy. 11 both northbound and southbound for a period of six hours." ...

Bradford Firehall Relocates

By Miriam King
Staff Writer

Bradford's old Fire Hall on Holland Street was so small that one of the town's five firefighting vehicles has to be parked elsewhere. Dispatch was through the Bradford Police Department, and fire trucks has to manoever their way through often heavy traffic in the center of town, whenever they were called out.

The facility was obviously inadequate for a department that was providing fire protection, not only for the rapidly growing town of Bradford, but also for about 70% of the township of West Gwillimbury, and a portion of King township. It was no surprise when Bradford Council approved the construction of a new Fire Hall.

Four companies were invited to bid on the new facility. Three of the four estimated a final cost in the area of $1.2 million, or more, depending on the architectural design.

The fourth, Inducon Design, offered a new concept called "Design Build", and a firm price of $978,000. "That's one of the main reasons we went to this kind of facility," said Ted Mendrek, Captain of the Fire Prevention Bureau, and the project manager. "I think up to this point, everyone is satisfied."

Construction on the Melbourne Drive site began in June, and is all but completed. The fire department has already moved in, only eight days behind schedule.

The new structure houses 6,000 square feet of apparatus space, and 4,000 square feet of administration offices. There is room for up to eight vehicles in the garage. Other features of the facility include male and female locker rooms, a kitchen, a 57' training and hose drying tower, and a diesel-powered generator that can provide power to the whole building in the case of an emergency.

The improvements have not been limited to the building. Any delays in response time that might have resulted when the fire department was moved to the west end of town, have been offset by the installation of Opticom lighting at both signals. This allows the trucks to alter the signals in their favour, saving up to a minute on the trip through town.

The Hall was designed to serve a population of up to 30,000 people, and house a full-time firefighting force. Although there are presently no sleeping accommodations, the facility was built to allow the addition of a second storey some time in the future. The necessary ductwork and plumbing are already in place in the ceiling.

At the moment, Bradford has a volunteer fire department, with 25 part-time firefighters. It will be up to Council to decide if, and when, to make the switch to "full time". "It all boils down to finance," says Mendrek.

The impact of amalgamation is also still to be determined, and will depend on decisions made by the transition team, as to "what level of service they want to provide to their residents."

Some of the questions to be considered include the extension of fire safety inspections to West Gwillimbury, construction of a second fire station in the township to obviate the need for Inter-municipal Fire Suppression contracts with Cookstown and Schomberg, and the use of West Gwillimbury taxes to help pay for Bradford's new fire hall. Bradford has taken out a $1 million debenture for the hall.

The fire department has its own "wish list". It is hoping that future allocations will permit the purchase of an aerial apparatus. At present, the town is relying on Newmarket, whenever aerial equipment is needed. That need could very well increase.

"We've already do have twelve high rises in town", warns Mendrek. "Council is aware of that, but...the building had to come first."

A newspaper from November 3, 1988. The opening ceremony for the new Bradford Public Library at 100 Holland Court was that week on November 6, 1988.

A newspaper clipping about fundraising to raise funds for a new Bradford Public Library at 100 Holland Court. Included in the article is a newspaper photograph of Adrienne Price (Librarian), Eleanor Sherbo ( Library Board Chairperson), Mr. Lacasse (President of Gang-Nail Canada Inc.) and Mr. Carter (Vice-President of Gang-Nail Canada Inc.).

A newspaper clipping with the hours of the new location of the Bradford Public Library, from 1988.

Municipality :
Community : Bradford West Gwillimbury
Lot :
Concession :
Description : Convent's Fate Still Questionable

The Recreation Facilities Committee made formal presentations to both the Parks and Recreation Committee and Town Council last week with regard to their recommendation that the old convent/St. Mary's be considered as the "ideal" location to house the new Recreation and Cultural Complex.

In his presentation, Steve Boland a member of the Facilities Committee, explained that "many other sites were considered, but due to topography, space, location and overcrowding constraints, none seemed quite as suitable as the Convent site."

Before endorsement by the Facilities Committee was given for this site proposal, certain advantages were already present: centralized location, adequate parking; land belongs to the Town; large enough to meet required needs, etc. In addition, due to the Convent's age of 112 years, heritage and recreation grants would likely be available, to assist with restoration of the convent. Last, but not least, hopefully the community would support fundraising efforts to restore one of the great landmarks of Bradford.

In order to minimize the disruption of the St. Mary's user groups (Happy Sixties, Rotodale, Cubs, Scouts, volunteer groups etc.), the Committee proposed a relocation schedule be set up for these groups prior to site development.

One of the short-term requests by the Facilities Committee was the adoption by Council to "pretty up" the Convent site in order to cut down on the vandalism which continues to haunt the structure.

Following the presentation, the Committee asked for Council's consideration in approving a Recreation Feasibility study. As Steve Boland reiterated, "the convent is a great asset to the community. It preserves a good deal of Bradford's heritage."

While Mayor dePeuter had no problem accepting the statement and goals as presented, he did have a problem with time frame, considering municipal elections will he held in the Fall. As he stated, "You can't tie one council to another." Since there is no allocation in this year's budget for funding this study, it may well have to wait until next year. In Council's mind, "It's not a priority item; it is urgent, but not nearly as pressing as other matters."

In the Mayor's words "We want to continue to walk, not run." In order for the Committee to "keep on walking", they need Council's approval before they can write up the Terms of Reference, which is the next step in the logical order of progression. (A Terms of Reference being a detailed blueprint of requirements which is tendered out to various consulting firms.)

Without further commitment by Town Council, the Facilities Committee will become a "shell" with no active mandate and may well disband.

This newspaper article is from the Bradford Womens Institute Scrapbooks.

Article on the opening of the new Administrative building for the Township of West Gwillimbury. There is discussion of the idea of amalgamation within the text.

December 14, 1989
Death

Evans, D. Arthur (former MPP for Simcoe Centre, Past Master of Simcoe Lodge #79, A.F. & A.M., Bradford). Suddenly at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, on Thursday, December 14, 1989. Arthur Evans of RR#2, Bradford in his 75th year. Beloved husband of Eileen Dixon and the late Audrey Kerr. Dear father of John, Don, Robin and Cathy Arruda, dear brother of Norma Noble of Bond Head. Also survived by eight grandchildren. Friends called at the Lathangue & Skwarchuk Funeral Home, 30 Simcoe St. Bradford. Service was held in the chapel on Monday, December 18, 1989 at 2:00 p.m. Interment St. Paul's Cemetery, Coulson's Hill. Donations to the Cardiac Care Unit at York County Hospital Foundation, Newmarket, would be appreciated.

FABING - KOWCENUK
On August 3, 1991, in the garden at the home of her parents, Angela Lynn Fabing, daughter of George & Lynda Fabing of Bradford, exchanged vows with Timothy Charles Kowcenuk, son of Elmer & Joy Harding of Markham.
The bride wore a Regal white satin gown crowned with beaded lace trim. A bateau neckline highlighting tapered Edwardian sleeves with a row of bridal buttons at the wrist. Lov V-shaped back flowing to an elongated waist with detailed embroidery, a back bustle bow, and a semi-cathedral train and veil.
Her attendants were: Mrs. Joanne Campbell, of Bradford; Miss Dana Twigger of Collingwood; Miss Andrea Kowcenuk, of British Columbia; Miss Lisa Kelly, of Bond Head.
The Groomsmen were: Mr. Todd Greenham, Mr. Dale Kowcenuk[,] Mr. David Couchman, all of Toronto; Mr. Jason Fabing of Bradford.
After honeymooning in the Champaign Towers at the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the happy couple will reside in their new home in Barrie, Ontario.

Article about the opening of the fire hall on Melbourne Drive, which is its current location today (2017). The fire department moved from a small fire hall next to the courthouse and Town Hall on Holland Street East.