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 long way up! Firefighters will train in this 57' high tower. The tower will also be used to dry fire hoses. This photo appeared with an article in the Bradford Gazette.

"A first report has been made by the consultants hired to conduct a feasibility study for a new library.
Roger Jones and George Schlukbier of Fox, Jones and Associates presented their first report to council, and the library board, along with some members of committees involved in planning for the new library.
Librarian Adrienne Price said the report outlined possible interior design, and land use.
Two parcels of town land on Holland Court have been chosen as the library site. The building will tentatively be built to the north of the west lot, with parking to the south.
A final draft of the library feasibility study will be presented at a public meeting tentatively set for Wednesday, August 27."

"A new library for Bradford came one tiny step closer to reality last week when Fox Jones and Associates presented its first public report. The facility feasibility study, still in draft form, was presented at a public meeting last week (Aug 27). ..."

A 30,000 sq. ft. Administration Building, with a Council Chamber that could double as an Arts Center. A 14,000 sq. ft. South Simcoe Police Station, that shares an atrium-style public entry with the Administration building. A separate courthouse - and possibly, an Ambulance station. All of it to be paid for through development charges, reserve funds from the sale of the municipal electrical utility, contributions from the County of Simcoe, and the sale of surplus properties - with no impact on the tax rate. ...

"Rev. Phillip Carroll, Pastor at the Bradford Pentecostal Assembly just North of Town, is getting tired of crawling under buildings to unfreeze water pipes.
With that as an incentive, and a growing flock of parishioners to contend with, a unique building project is set to begin at the end of March. For five weeks, volunteer workers from across the province will give up their vacation time to help construct a new church, replacing the two small portable structures at the South-east corner of Highway 11 and the 9th Concession.
Each week, the Bradford Pentecostal Assembly holds services for 40 to 60 people in an area no bigger than a primary school classroom. A cold winter helped convince Carroll of the need for larger, modern facilities. The present building "just isn't meeting our needs," he said.
The Church building project is being organized under the auspices of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Plans are now in the final stages of preparation, and onl;y a few building permits and a fire code inspection remain as hurdles, before the ceremonial ground-breaking two weeks from now.
The new church will have seating for 170, and a full basement with kitchen facilities and classrooms. Carroll estimates the building will cost about $175,000, less than half what it would cost using a more traditional method of construction.
A similar project in Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario, was accomplished in just under two months, and Carroll is sure things will work out in Bradford.
"It's going to be very inspiring to watch...the building rise" "

Photograph of the ground breaking ceremony in October of 1987 for the Bradford Public Library. That library finished construction in 1988. Then mayor William de Peuter is holding the microphone while addressing the audience.

Photograph of staff & volunteers at ground breaking ceremony in October of 1987 for the Bradford Public Library. That library finished construction in 1988. Left to Right: Nellie Dewhurst (library volunteer), Flora Nydam (library staff), Anita Sikma (library staff), Marilyn Reynolds (library staff), Mrs. Charlotte Michna (patron of the library)

Photograph of Mayor William de Peuter and MPP Bruce Owen at the ground breaking ceremony in October of 1987 for the Bradford Public Library. That library finished construction in 1988.

Photograph of MPP Bruce Owen (with microphone) speaking at the ground breaking ceremony in October of 1987 for the Bradford Public Library. That library finished construction in 1988. Second from right is Eleanor Sherbo.