The City of Fernie has taken a significant step forward in the development of its new fire hall by awarding a contract to Chandos Construction for preconstruction services. This decision follows the completion of preliminary designs by Arcadis Architects in September 2024, which estimated the project’s cost at approximately $20.5 million.
Preconstruction services are planning activities that occur before the actual construction begins, focusing on project feasibility, design, budgeting, scheduling, and risk assessment to ensure a smooth and successful project execution.
Chandos Construction, a Canadian company, has been entrusted with refining these initial plans to achieve cost reductions while maintaining the project’s integrity. They have over 680 field and office staff across operations based out of Toronto, Ottawa, and Chalk River, Ontario, alongside their nationwide presence with offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Kelowna, and Vancouver. The firm’s experience includes similar projects, such as the Creston Emergency Services Building, completed in 2022 at a cost of $9.9 million.
The City Council’s unanimous decision to engage Chandos was based on a comprehensive evaluation of ten proposals, considering factors like cost, experience, and references. Chandos’ proposal, valued at $235,652, was among the more economical options. The council has previously discussed potential cost-saving measures, including sourcing materials locally and reducing the number of fire truck bays from four to three, which could save an estimated $1.3 million.
Once Chandos develops a detailed design and updated cost estimate, the project will be presented to the community through a referendum. This approach ensures that residents have a direct say in whether the City should proceed with borrowing funds to finance the new fire hall.
