Heather Wright/The Independent

It will likely take $850,0000 and until 2028 to completely renovate the Petrolia/North Enniskillen fire department.

That from a consultant who drew up plans to improve the health and safety features of the Centre Street hall.

The department needs a decontamination room. Provincial labour laws say firefighters must shower before leaving the hall. There was a plan for a new washroom, however cost concerns scuttled the project.

In 2025, Petrolia Councillor Liz Welsh suggested the town should move ahead since the upgrades are necessary. Since then, the two municipalities have worked together at the fire board to come up with a plan.

June 18, the engineer in charge of the project revealed his plans saying the work can be staged over a number of years and could cost up to $850,000.

Enniskillen Township Clerk Christine Poland, in a report to the fire board, said “extensive effort” has been made “to optimize the use of every square inch of the space available” and prioritizing costs savings using “stock cabinetry, cost effective finishes, and the reuse of plumbing, electrical and mechanical fixtures and equipment where possible.”

Misner Engineering has also recommended a number of upgrades be completed this year in preparation for the larger renovation including removing old communication towers, replacing and recaulking windows and repainting the hall. Misner is also suggesting a new accessible ramp for the building.

In 2027, the budget for the project would be finalized and a contractor hired to complete much of the renovations in 2028.

Fire Chief Rick Cousins says he’ll have to move from the hall during the construction to another municipal building. The department is also considering renting a construction trailer to be placed at the hall during the renos.

While about $269,000 has been set aside for the work, Cousins says it is necessary. The hall was built in 1976 and has never had a
major overhaul.

Poland, in her report, says the two municipalities would need to put a total of $100,000 per year into reserves for the project until 2027. The additional funds will be set aside in the two communities budgets in 2027 and 2028.

Cousins says the department also plans to raise money to help with the cost of the renovations.

Councils in both Enniskillen and Petrolia will have to review and approve the project before the work moves ahead.

The chief is hopeful the exterior work can be completed this year.