Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Welland has approved knocking down the current fire headquarters, as construction on a new headquarters and a new fire station continues.
The building that reported leaks and sewer infiltration will by demolished by Salandria Ltd. at a cost $90,685, including disposal of material and backfilling the property.
According to Fire Chief Adam Eckhart, the new headquarters will be one of the most energy-efficient facilities in the country.
In a news release, city officials called the project a “golden example of brownfield remediation and environmental stewardship.”
One important feature is widow placement to collect sun energy in the summer and reduce demand on the air-conditioning system. During the winter heat will be absorbed and reduce the use of the building’s system.
The property is a brownfield that was used as mill by Atlas Steels property. A report showed contaminants ranged from heavy to light and were safely removed including chunks of concrete, parts from old roadways, hydraulic oils and other chemicals.
Five thousand cubic metres of concrete was repurposed – crushed and chipped on site, and used as a base under the site’s asphalt parking lot.
The cost for the new Welland Fire and Emergency Services Station 1 headquarters, is $13.67 million and the chief says the efficiency features will ensure the building lasts 50 years.
It sits atop the former Atlas Steels land, an eight-acre brownfield site.
“We saw an opportunity to take this initiative to the next level in terms of environmental stewardship, and we are proud of our commitment,” said Adam Eckhart, fire chief.
“As a municipality, we talk a lot about caring for our environment and encouraging others to take environmentally approaches, and showing the community that we practice what we preach proves that we are serious.”
Staff repurposed 5,000 cubic metres of concrete from the site, reducing dumping fees, trucking costs, and material purchasing. The berm at the rear of the site is being seeded with native species to support the local habitat, reducing soil diversion to landfills, and providing a sound barrier. The City worked with the Niagara Peninsula Conversation Authority (NCPA) and Niagara College to help naturalize the berm.
A pond will capture rainwater to ensure neighbouring properties do not flood. Water used in firefighter training will recirculate to the pond and be used repeatedly. The pond also supports training in water and ice rescue operations. The pond’s design replicates three main landscape features in the community: the shipping canal banks, bridge/bank/docks, and a low slope entry point like a ramp.