By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
Witless Bay councillors say they see the merits of a new regional fire hall, but ultimately the cost of one is too rich for their blood based on the latest feasibility study.
Deputy Mayor Justina Nawaz said whether to move ahead with the project was something discussed at length with Fire Chief Jack Gatherall and the fire committee, as well as with council as a whole.
“We are looking at two different options that are both over $7 million and even with funding as a 70/30 split (with the Province) it would still cost us almost $2.5 million and everyone feels we are just not in a place to spend that money,” Nawaz said.
Councillor Ralph Carey moved to deny the cost overrun and not proceed to the next stage of the development, renovation or construction of the new regional fire hall at this time due to financial constraints.
Carey also pointed out there is no way to ensure any potential cost overruns will not become the responsibility of the Town of Witless Bay.
“Somebody has to be on the hook. Given that it’s a regional facility that serves here to Bauline and beyond we really can’t risk our financial future on something that could run tremendously (over budget),” Carey said. “What if somebody decided to, say for instance our neighbours to the south, throw tariffs on something and the price of something goes through the roof?”
Carey’s motion to kill the project passed unanimously.
In 2022, Witless Bay council accepted $2.4 million in cost-shared funding from the provincial government for the construction of a new fire hall and agreed to pay its share of the project, which at that time was $815,640. That funding was based on a 2019 feasibility study.
In order to obtain a more accurate, updated estimate of the construction cost, council ordered a new feasibility study in August 2024 at a cost of $27,666, plus tax.
