The new station boasts an area of about 18,000 square feet, most than double the space at the old fire station, which was around 7,000 square feet. (The old fire station, which was built in the 1960s, is now a Sendik’s Fresh2GO store.)

The estimated total cost of the station project is $5 million.

The construction of  Station 67 is part of Orange County’s major capital investment project, called INVEST in Our Home for Life. The $300 million initiative pours $30 million into construction, training, and new fire rescue equipment for five years.

Two more will be built with the funds; one in northeast Orlando in Avalon Park and the other in southeast Orlando, off Goldenrod Road and Silver Pointe Boulevard.

The old station served West Casper for more than 30 years, and a number of years before that as a volunteer station.

Casper Fire-EMS says the new station represents a great leap forward in facilities and technology. The project was slated to cost 3.4 million dollars, to be paid for with Optional One Cent Funds.