Grand opening planned for Seeley’s Bay fire station

After more than 70 years of dedicated service from a modest community hall, Seeley’s Bay is turning the page and trading nostalgia for modern fire safety with the grand opening of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands’s brand-new Fire Station No. 2.

The Township is inviting residents to celebrate the completion of the state-of-the-art fire hall during a grand opening and open house on Saturday, May 31, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 3306 County Road 32. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speeches, guided tours of the facility, and complimentary cake and light refreshments.

Replacing the former station housed in the Seeley’s Bay Community Hall since 1951, the new 7,808-square-foot facility is built to post-disaster standards and features three drive-through apparatus bays, office and kitchen space, a decontamination room, and a classroom-style training room for firefighter education.

The facility can support up to 30 firefighters and is also equipped with a rainwater collection system for firefighting use.

“The new fire station represents an important commitment by the township to ensuring the safety of residents and businesses now and in the future.” Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke said during the beginning of construction for this project, which occurred in April of last year.

The new station was designed by IDEA Inc. in consultation with TLTI Fire Services, council, and township staff. Construction was carried out by JCB Canada Inc.

The fire station sits at the intersection of Highway 15 and County Road 32, on land purchased from the Sly family. The previous station no longer met operational requirements or the growing needs of the community.