The new Strathroy Station 1 Fire Hall that should be coming in the near future, continues to go through its growing pains. This week at Strathroy-Caradoc Council, a recommendation for council to approve the closure of Zimmerman Street to accommodate the new Strathroy Fire Hall was amended by Council to add the word “proposed”, meaning Council has not approved the new hall yet even though they have adopted the Fire Master Plan which in fact contains the closure of Zimmerman Street and the construction of a new Station #1. CAO Fred Tranquilli says the process can begin fairly quickly once approval is given.
CAO Tranquilli added no matter if this new build goes forward or not, council does have the control.
For clarification, a new Station #1 in terms of design, budget, scope, amenities, and site plan has not yet been approved. The Fire Master Plan recommends the Zimmerman Street location as the ideal site for the new hall to service Strathroy and area. The new proposed hall would face Metcalfe Street and would still need drive through access from East Centre Street. There would be signage and alternating lights on Metcalfe controlled by the fire hall to alert motorists.
The Municipality engaged a+Link Architects to work on the design of the station including the site layout. Staff have reported that the current hall will need to remain active during the construction of the new hall.
The entry to the East Alley from Zimmerman will be eliminated; however, access to the alley will be maintained off Arthur Street.
Staff circulated a letter to residents within 150m of the site notifying them of the planned closure of Zimmerman Street. The closing of Zimmerman allows the Strathroy Fire Hall (Station 1) to be built on the site recommended in the Fire Master Plan while maintaining the level of service residents have come to expect from the Fire Service.
written by: C. Soares
(photo by: Front Page Photography)