The Town of Essex has greenlit a significant infrastructure project, approving the construction of a new $5-million fire station in Harrow. This decision, made on Monday, will see Gulf Developments of Windsor take charge of building the facility, which is set to be located on the parking lot at the Rosborough soccer field property.
Strategic Location and Design
Essex Fire Station 3 will be situated in the southwest corner of the parking lot, with access to the soccer complex remaining unchanged at the north end. The building will mirror the design of Fire Station 2, which opened in February 2022 at 3575 North Malden Road. This replication is expected to save the town approximately $140,000 by utilizing an identical layout for the 8,500 square-foot structure, capable of housing up to five fire trucks.
Enhanced Emergency Services
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley highlighted the uniqueness of having three fire stations within one municipality, stating, "Having three fire stations is pretty unique and it really speaks to the level of service that we’re putting out there." The new station will replace the current Station 3 at 25 Centre St. E. in Harrow, which a 2018 building assessment deemed deteriorating and unsuitable for upgrades due to insufficient training space.
Benefits of the Rosborough Site
The selection of the Rosborough property offers multiple advantages. As town-owned land, it eliminates land-acquisition costs. The site provides ample room for firefighter training, with the parking lot to be reconfigured from 150 to 174 spaces. Additionally, it ensures access to critical roads for emergency response, meets building codes including accessibility standards, and features minimal traffic in front of the station.
Project Background and Timeline
The town received 19 submissions for the project, with 17 meeting the request for proposal requirements, according to Essex Fire Chief Ed Pillon. While no start date for construction has been set, councilors have been advised that work should commence shortly. The soccer fields are not expected to be impacted by the new fire station, maintaining community recreational facilities.
