The city of Woodland is using $1 million left over from a 2012 public safety bond, plus another $500,000 from a bond the city took out for the project. Even with those additional funds, the city can’t afford to build as big of a fire station as the department needs, so instead it’s breaking the project in two phases.

The first phase will include a 3,000-square-foot garage where firefighters can park four emergency vehicles. It will also house uniform and equipment storage and a decontamination room. Nearby, there will be a 1,400-square-foot mobile home that will act as an office and living quarters until the city can afford to build the second half of the station.

The fire officials welcomed the growing community to the 9,000-square-foot brick fire station 6 at 3560 Discovery Creek Blvd. in Spring. Paid for with taxpayer dollars, the station includes living quarters, five dorm rooms, Lieutenant and Watch offices, a Physical Wellness area, two apparatus bays, a 2010 Ferrara Igniter Fire Engine 11-6, and a 2010 Booster 11-6.

Station 6 will grow the SMCFD from 90 to 110 paid personnel. SMCFD 11-6 firefighter Nathan Young attended the ceremony Saturday with his family and will be starting his firefighting career at the station.

Both the engine and the building were damaged during the weekly training session at the small station.

The engine remained embedded in the building for a week.

Work to rebuild the engine bay is almost complete and firefighters are expected to return to the station next month.

"We're all looking forward to returning to the station," said Watch Commander Mark Milner.

Abbeville recently received two new trucks, and knowing there was a need in St. Landry Parish, offered the trucks below their appraised value to accommodate the village's budget.

"The bigger cities that have the tax base can afford a few more things than the villages and the small towns and without that handout, we wouldn't be able to do the things that we do as a small village," said Cankton Mayor Kevin Colligan.