Dawn Smith/Rocky View Publishing

Bearspaw Councillor Al Sacuta discusses the proposed site for the Bearspaw firehall with concerned resident Jiny Liu. Several residents, attended a Rocky View County-hosted open house at the Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre, Feb. 8 to raise concerns and show support for the project.

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Mixed reaction at Bearspaw firehall open house

Opinions were mixed at an open house, held at the Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre on Feb. 8, regarding a proposed firehall to be built in the community.

Although in agreement with the need for a firehall, residents’ opinion was varied on Rocky View’s top choice for the site, which is located on a municipal reserve south of Lochend Drive and east of Highway 766.

“We want to have a firehall, just not on our doorstep,” said Jiny Liu, who lives in the neighbourhood adjacent to the suggested site. “They should choose a place there is no development.”

Nearby residents are concerned the location of the firehall will lower their property values, decrease their quality of life, ruin their view and scare local wildlife away.

Other concerns about the facility, which will be 15,000 square feet in size and will be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week with four to six firefighters, include noise and increased traffic.

“It is going to be like a city,” said Sheila Raju, who says the facility will be on her doorstep. “I should have stayed in (Calgary).”

But not all residents were against the location.

Bob Thomas, who has lived just north of the proposed site since 1952, said the firehall would be a welcome addition to the community.

“I have no problems at all,” he said. “Please start building it tomorrow.”

On Jan. 10, Rocky View council directed staff to proceed with applications for the Bearspaw Emergency Services Centre and begin community consultations for the proposed site.

After evaluating several properties in Bearspaw, a County-owned parcel was determined to be the most suitable location for the emergency centre, which will also be designed to accommodate an ambulance and two paramedics should the service be needed in the future.

The eight-acre site was chosen based on its coverage area, access to transportation networks, water and wastewater servicing, compatibility with the area and project costs.

The facility is necessary because the City of Calgary, which currently provides emergency services to Rocky View, is handing over responsibility to the County on Dec. 31.

Area Councillor Al Sacuta said the public’s input is important to the end design and location of the firehall.

“The key is we haven’t approved the site yet,” he said. “What we are trying to do is find out what the reaction to the site is. We are trying to make the maximum amount of people happy and the least amount miserable.”

Sacuta said the location is ideal because it is in the middle of the coverage area, will save the County hundreds of thousands of dollars, and will allow the community to grow around it for the next 20 years.

County staffer Drew Hyndman, who attended the open house, agreed.

“We are planning for Bearspaw now and in the future,” he said. “We have only one chance to plan this facility.”

Council is expected to consider the project on April 17.