M.D. of Willow Creek to support fire hall renovations

By Mickey Dumont Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After a closed session discussion during its April 23 meeting, the Municipal District of Willow Creek council voted to financially support renovations to the Claresholm fire hall.
Councillor.Hemmaway made the motion that will see the M.D. contribute 25 percent of the cost of the renovation of the Claresholm fire hall to a maximum of $300,000.
“That contribution will be provided to the town on an annual basis of up to $60,000 each year for five years beginning in 2026,” says Derrick Krizsan, M.D. chief administrative officer.
The Claresholm council has approved $1.2 million in its recently approved five-year plan for renovations to the fire hall.
“We are moving ahead with renovations to our fire hall and we did ask them (M.D.) for assistance,” said Town of Claresholm chief administrative officer Abe Tinney.
At one point, the town council was exploring building a new fire hall.
“That’s part of the process,” Tinney said. “The cost of that is astronomical. The building that we have is in good enough shape that if we renovate and expand it, we should be able to get another 20 years out of it.”
In exploring whether to build new or renovate, the town learned a new fire hall would cost taxpayers upwards of $5 million
“A new building, on the low end, was going to cost $5-$6 million. That cost on the ratepayers is just too much,” Tinney said.
The M.D. contributes to the day-to-day operational costs of the fire hall and keeps some of its equipment there.
Renovations are scheduled to begin in 2026.