Waverley West getting temporary fire station; permanent station still 2 years away

A modular fire station is being built in a fast-growing suburb of southwest Winnipeg, a temporary solution until a permanent station can be built.

Officials from all three levels of government picked up their shovels and broke ground in the Waverley West community Tuesday, letting residents know a fire paramedic station is on the way at 130 Eaglewood Drive.

Construction began nearly two years after city council approved the plan.

“The neighbourhood is very densely populated. There’s a lot of bays, a lot of roundabouts. So to have a fire paramedic station in the heart of Waverley West is critical,” said Janice Lukes, councillor for Waverley West.

The station will house a fire truck, firefighters, an ambulance and paramedics.

“This will be up and running by October, November,” added Lukes, who is also deputy mayor. “Then we are starting next year, we’ll be back here doing a sod turning for the permanent fire station just by Bison School, and that will take two years to complete.”

The city calls the modular station an innovative approach to reducing emergency response times. When the permanent station is built, the temporary structure will be moved to help other neighbourhoods while their stations are under construction.

Financial support for the project comes from the federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

The City of Winnipeg estimates the capital budget for the interim modular station and site development at $6.8 million – funded from the WFPS station capital maintenance budget, with $1.33 million from the Canada Community-Building Fund.

The Manitoba government is putting $3.4 million towards adding 40 new firefighters in Waverley West.

“(It) took our government six months to come through with the firefighting resources, for funding 40 positions,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. “So we’re really happy to deliver on a campaign commitment to bring emergency services to southwest Winnipeg.”

“Waverley West is the fastest-growing community in Manitoba and I am very pleased this funding is being used to meet the needs of residents who deserve quality and timely service,” added Terry Duguid, MP for Winnipeg South