Work begins next week to prepare the site of the six-storey training tower that will be a key part of the state-of-the-art Fire Training Centre for Kingston Fire & Rescue being built on Terry Fox Drive.
The tower, to be constructed by Wemp & Smith Construction Ltd., is expected to be completed in late fall.
This spring, the City purchased 23 acres of land located off of Terry Fox Drive immediately north of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation property on John Counter Boulevard.
The assembly of the tower marks the implementation of Phase 1 of the multi-year plan to build the Centre to be completed in 2018. Phase 1 will cost $5.3 million and was approved by Council as part of Kingston Fire and Rescue’s 2011-2012 capital budget.
Other components of the Centre include:
- exterior training areas with various props;
- a training building with classrooms;
- a warehouse and storage building; and
- an apparatus and equipment maintenance garage.
The Centre is being developed in accordance with the Master Fire Plan which recommended the establishment of a training facility where emergency response personnel can develop their skills. Council adopted the recommendation in 2010.
This Centre will also be available to local industry, education institutions and other emergency services in Eastern Ontario. A copy of the Master Fire Plan and its recommendations is available on the City of Kingston website .
