Red Deer County emergency response teams will soon have a new home in Clearview Industrial Park.
The new $2,900,000 facility located on 1.5 acres at 249 Clearview Dr., south of the Red Deer landfill, will house Red Deer County Technical Rescue Task Force, Red Deer Search and Rescue, and County Emergency Management staff. Space will be dedicated to the Town of Blackfalds RCMP detachment and records management storage.
"We had been looking for a new building since fall of 2013,î said Ric Henderson Red Deer County assistant county manager. "Our present building is 37 years old and it was time to replace it. This new facility was just built in the fall, so the timing was good. Pending the minor renovations which will start mid-March, we will move into the building in early April.î
Soon to be designated Protective Services Station #6, the new 12,800-square-foot facility will be modified, and furniture and equipment will be purchased with an additional $100,000 budget, turning the price tag into $3,000,000 for the entire project.
"This new facility will be a good fit for our emergency staff,î said Henderson. "Our Quonset has a small training room, and the new one will have a larger, modern room that will fit 30-plus people. Two staff members working out of the county building will be moved to our new offices as well.î
Space is being provided for Blackfalds RCMP as well noted Henderson. He went on to say that their jurisdiction extends north of Highway 42 and a small office space is good use of this resource.
"We are looking forward to the new facility as much as the volunteers,î added Henderson.î
Presently, the groups are housed in a Quonset located at 1990 40th Ave. in Red Deer originally purchased in 1976. Red Deer County Council approved the purchase on Feb. 18 during its regular council meeting. For more information on emergency services visit www.rdcounty.ca.
