Assiginack Township council narrowly approved buying the dormant Manitowaning OPP building for $310,000 to convert into a new fire hall, bypassing previously rejected new-build tenders that exceeded $3.5 million.
MANITOWANING鈥擜ssiginack Township council, in a very close vote, has approved a bylaw to purchase the long dormant Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) building in Manitowaning to develop into a fire hall, this despite concerns raised by some members of council.
鈥淚t would be cheaper (to purchase the OPP building and renovate it for the Assiginack Fire Department) than looking at a new building, or losing our fire department,鈥 said Assiginack Mayor Brenda Reid, at a council meeting last week. 鈥淭he fire department members have been working in conditions that are not good for a long time.鈥
鈥淢y fear is that we will be buying another building that will just sit and not be maintained,鈥 stated Councillor Janice Bowerman. 鈥淎t our last meeting I wanted information on what the costs will be. I would like to know what the costs are going to be to renovate the police building (for the fire department).鈥
Subscribe now and have access to all our stories, enjoy exclusive content and stay up to date with constant updates.