A site is being proposed to relocate Chatham-Kent (CK) fire station 1 at the current CK Civic Centre near downtown Chatham.
Administration with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is proposing to use a portion of the existing municipal property at the former St. Ursula School at 426 Lacroix Street in Chatham as a new location for Station 1.
The fire station has to move as part of the transitioning of various municipal departments from the CK Civic Centre to the new CK Community Hub in downtown Chatham.
In a report going before Chatham-Kent council on Monday night, administration said a number of potential locations have been assessed taking into account fire response times, availability of land, servicing, environmental constraints, remediation requirements and costs, and land purchase costs.
Limited site opportunities exist in the required service area, staff noted, adding that the former school building is in the process of being demolished.
Administration said the remainder of the former school site would be redeveloped for housing needs such as affordable and market housing.
A report regarding the relocation of the fire station and a concept/preliminary design for the building is anticipated for the September council meeting.
Public consultation will be included as part of the process to develop the site plan, added administration.
Construction of the proposed fire station is anticipated in 2027/2028 to follow the completion of the CK Community Hub, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2028.
Administration is also asking council to give them the green light to get updated appraisals in 2027 for the Civic Centre, Chatham Library, library parking lot, and Chatham fire station 1 to inform the property disposition process.
The buildings were valued at approximately $9.3 million in 2022.
