(LANSDOWNE) – The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands (TLTI) has acquired property in Seeley’s Bay for the replacement of Fire Station #2.
As identified in the Fire Master Plans of 2016 and 2021, Fire Station #2 (150 Main Street, Seeley’s Bay) is no longer meeting the needs of a modern fire department. As part of the 2022 Capital Budget, TLTI Council approved $400,000 for the acquisition of land and completion of the detailed design for a new Fire Station in the Seeley’s Bay area. The purchase price of the property was $235,000 and is approximately 6.5 acres.
Located at 3300 County Road 32, the property provides easy access to County Road 32 and Provincial Highway 15. This site will lead to reduced response time as Fire Service members report to the station and in response time to calls. TLTI Fire Chief Mike Prior estimates that Fire Service response time to call may improve by as much as ten minutes from the new site.
The property was purchased from Keith Sly and Garry Sly. Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke noted, “Keith and Garry Sly each have a long record of service to the Township, as did their father who served as a Councillor and Reeve of the Township of the Rear of Leeds and Lansdowne.” Mayor Smith-Gatcke continued, “It is wonderful that the Sly family legacy will continue in the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands for decades to come.”
The new location will reduce risks associated with Fire Service members and emergency vehicles traveling on Main Street in Seeley’s Bay. It will also improve the amount of area within the Township to be serviced by the tanker shuttle in fire response. This helps lower insurance rates for residents living in detached homes within the area covered.
The design of the new Fire Station will be completed in 2022. The cost to build the new station will be included in the 2023 Capital budget and, if approved by Council, construction would begin in 2023. Township staff are exploring options for community use of the existing Fire Station #2 building in Seeley’s Bay once the new Fire Station is completed.