Penhold residents got their first look at the town’s renovated and expanded fire hall during the Penhold Fire Department’s open house on May 28.
Renovations of the fire hall began early this year soon after the town’s municipal offices were moved to the Penhold Multiplex. Prior to the renovations the fire hall had one drive-through bay that could barely accommodate the department’s two pumper trucks. The lack of space meant the department’s tanker was parked outside, exposing it to the elements and the possibility of vandalism.
As part of the renovations, new trusses were added to the hall in order to expand the equipment bay by 25 feet to the south and reorient it in order to fit all the department’s equipment. The building’s exterior siding was also stripped off and replaced. After the expansion, the hall now features four bays – three for the department’s vehicles and one for the town’s peace officer.
The department’s office space has grown to include the former municipal offices. The department originally had a small portion of the building’s basement for offices and storage. There is now enough room for office space for the chief and officers, a dry lounge, and a boardroom that can be used for training. The department had previously had to rent space off site for training.
“It makes it nice that we don’t have to go offsite,” fire fighter Ray Jones said. “We used to rely heavily on other departments for training.”
Jones said the trucks were stored off site at two local businesses while the renovations were completed, though the department remained active the entire process. The hall itself was only shut down for one month in total.
Capt. Phil Townsend, a six-year veteran of the department, said the town’s offices were cramped before their move to the multiplex and that the changes benefited both groups.
“They really needed their space, as we needed ours,” he said, noting that it was a “nightmare” for fire fighters to get their gear on while the fire trucks were being moved.
“It’s great. It’s a hell of a lot better than it was.”
Penhold Fire Chief Jim Pendergast said the entire department was pleased with the renovated hall.
“It was a facility we needed,” he said.
“It’s a tremendous difference for us and it also gives the firefighters a feeling of pride.”
The department purchased used lockers from the County of Red Deer to store fire fighters’ gear.
The expansion and renovations were a long time coming, said Jones, the department’s former fire chief and a five-year veteran.
“They talked about a new fire hall for 10 years. It’s been an on-going topic of conversation,” he said. “It’s good for the town, it’s good for the community, and it’s good for the department.”
Jones gave much of the credit for the renovations to current fire chief Jim Pendergast.
“He’s done one hell of a job,” Jones said. “He’s the one that finished the dream we started 10 years ago.”
"He's the one that finished the dream we started 10 years ago."
Ray Jones,
Penhold firefighter
