Future of old fire hall under review

BEDFORD - Although it has remained vacant and boarded up since last year, HRM is trying to determine what can be done with the old brick fire hall building on the Bedford Highway.

The municipality is looking for a consultant to conduct a community survey of the former Bedford fire hall. The facility was an active fire station until 1997 and was then used as a training and storage facility until 1999. It served as a youth centre between 2001 and 2006.

A request for proposals from those interested in conducting a community survey to help determine the building's future closed on Oct. 16.

"We want to know who's interested in using the building, who's interested in purchasing the building and what kind of activities could be held there," said Bedford Coun. Tim Outhit.

"It's not healthy from mould and mildew. It was used as a fire station for years and was subject to oil spills and leaks. It needs a lot of work to bring it up to code."

The fire house building needs an estimated $250,000 worth of work, Outhit said. It occupies a prime piece of Bedford Highway real estate, and its location has attracted the attention of at least two developers who have expressed an interest in purchasing the building.

"A couple of developers are looking at fixing it up so maybe it could be used as a community facility for events and meetings," he said.

"The bottom line is we need facilities in Bedford. It's not ideal, but maybe it can serve as a stop-gap measure until we get something suitable."

The fire hall property was declared surplus and was placed on the market last year. The request for proposals document states the municipality turned down a purchase offer shortly afterward because of concerns from Bedford residents who wanted HRM to keep the property. Residents expressed their hope the building could be used for purposes that would benefit the community.

Council requested a community assessment be conducted to further investigate the matter. So far, HRM staff members have completed an asset inventory of recreation programming and an appraisal, and have compiled a set of draft survey questions.

The role of the community survey project consultant will include working on the wording and design of the survey, determining the number of survey participants based on Bedford's population, performing the telephone survey, and then analyzing and reporting the results.

"We want something at the waterfront and we want Rocky Lake," said Outhit. "But until that happens, if somebody comes by and fixes (the old fire hall) and makes it useable we'll take advantage of it. It's not ideal, but we don't want to lose something else in Bedford."

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca