The City of Penticton marked a major milestone in its Fire Hall Renewals Project today with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Hall Headquarters, following Council's approval to proceed with construction of the replacement for the aging Fire Hall #2 on Dawson Avenue.
The project represents the transition from planning and validation into construction of one of the City's most significant public safety infrastructure investments. Located on the existing Dawson Avenue site, the new headquarters will serve as Penticton's primary emergency response facility, providing modern, purpose-built space to support firefighters, emergency operations and the needs of a growing community for decades to come.
Designed with a minimum 50-year service life, the new headquarters will feature a two-storey post-disaster facility that will house Fire Administration, Fire Prevention, the Training Division and Fire Suppression operations. The building will also provide additional capacity for regional firefighter training and emergency preparedness activities.
The project has been designed with a strong focus on sustainability, resiliency and firefighter wellness. Key features include rooftop solar panels, emergency backup power, decontamination facilities, energy-efficient building systems and wellness spaces to support the mental and physical health of firefighters. These investments will help reduce long-term operating costs, improve energy efficiency and ensure reliable service during emergencies and natural disasters.
Additional upgrades to Fire Hall #1 on Nanaimo Avenue will also move forward as part of the broader Fire Hall Renewals Project. Once the new headquarters is commissioned, Fire Hall #1 will continue serving the community as a satellite fire station and the City's Emergency Operations Centre.
"Safe communities depend on strong, reliable infrastructure," said Mayor Julius Bloomfield. "This project is one of the City's most important investments in public safety, emergency preparedness and community resilience. Today's groundbreaking reflects years of planning, collaboration and careful stewardship, and we're proud to move forward with a facility that will serve Penticton residents for generations."
"This groundbreaking marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for fire and emergency services in Penticton," said Fire Chief Mike Larsson. "Our firefighters respond to an increasingly diverse range of emergencies every day. This new headquarters will provide the space, equipment and training resources needed to support our crews, strengthen regional training opportunities and maintain the high level of service our community expects."
The Fire Hall Renewals Project is being delivered through an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model, bringing together the City, designers, contractors and trade partners in a collaborative approach focused on innovation, accountability and cost certainty throughout the project.
The project forms part of the City's broader Civic Places and Spaces Initiative, a long-term strategy to renew and modernize critical municipal infrastructure while ensuring City facilities continue to meet the needs of residents today and into the future. For more information on this project, please visit: www.penticton.ca/our-community/civic-spaces-and-places.