Fernie residents push back on proposed fire hall that would tear down ballpark

CTV News

a day ago

In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week. It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week.
It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
The plan has many residents up in arms.
'We really want the city to reconsider where they're putting it,' said Alleine Anselmo.
'There's a perfectly good space up on Second Avenue that was actually bought in consideration to build the fire hall. And it's just important to myself and all the residents that you see here today that we save the last of the greenspace that we have in Fernie.'
In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week. It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week. It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
A petition to save the park has been signed by more than 1,200 people in a city of about 6,500.
Residents say the park is used frequently throughout the summer.
'The only one that wants to see a fire hall here on (this part of this property) is the firemen,' said Perry Servello, nephew of Joe Servello, who the field is named after.
In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week. It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week. It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
The land was donated by Shell in 1972 to be used for recreational purposes.
Some feel the city hasn't been transparent in its approach to the new fire hall.
'The city hasn't been very transparent. And a lot of backdoor stuff and meetings have been going on,' said Chris Inglis.
In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week. It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
In Fernie, B.C., Servello Field at Prentice Park hosts organized and recreational baseball several nights a week. It's also being eyed as the spot for Fernie's new $16-million fire hall.
The Fernie Fire Department has been set up at a temporary location since 2022.
They split the space with public works.
It's not properly set up for a fire department and is slowing down response times by several minutes.
It also sits right next to train tracks, which can slow response times even further.
'Our biggest concern is the safety of the firefighters and the safety of the community,' said fire chief Brendan Morgan.
'We need the response time. And that is a perfect location for response time to the whole community.'
The city understands the frustration of residents but says it needs a new fire hall.
Fernie has been without a purpose-built fire hall since 1979.
'I understand the frustration; I understand the change. But council is not deaf to your concerns, and we are already looking at other alternatives for a larger greenspace and opportunity to develop,' said Mayor Nic Milligan.
The city is looking at reclaiming a former landfill site and turning it into a recreation facility to replace the lost ballfield.
Groundbreaking on the fire hall could be as early as next year.
It could be open by the end of 2027.