Heather Wright/The Independent

Petrolia council has agreed to start planning for new fire hall. But a new building is likely years away.

That’s according to Councillor Liz Welsh who suggested a new fire hall be added to the municipality’s asset management plan with a goal of replacement. 

The condition of the Centre St. hall has been a bone of contention for some time, as the department tried to build a  new washroom facility and a decontamination room. It’s now provincial law to have one. In Nov. 2024, councillors asked staff to investigate a loan to build a new hall. 

Sept. 22, Welsh raised the issue again saying the hall is now in fair condition and nearing the end of its life. She pointed to increasing population and new subdivisions in the works as a driver for the project. Council agreed to start the planning process.

Welsh tells The Independent there are number of communities which have recently built fire halls which the town can look at for ideas. 

But she says it will take between five and 10 years before the Petrolia/North Enniskillen firefighters have a new home. 

“I think Port Stanley was about five to seven years before they go things in place,” she said.

In the meantime, the department continues to plan for a decontamination room.