Concept image of the new Scotch Creek / Lee Creek Fire Hall (image courtesy of the CSRD)

By Liam Verster

Replacing Destroyed Fire Hall

Fire hall destroyed in 2023 wildfire being rebuilt, despite significant cost increase

Aug 24, 2025 | 6:00 AM

A fire station in the Shuswap that was destroyed two summers ago is being rebuilt, even though the price tag attached has gone up significantly.

The Scotch Creek / Lee Creek Fire Hall was destroyed in the summer of 2023 when the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire ravaged the area.

The insurance evaluation assessed the replacement cost of the burned down fire hall at an estimated $2.3-million at the time, but the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) said that due to inflation and plans to add some new additions to the facility, that cost had increased to $5.6-million.

To cover the difference of the costs, the CSRD Board approved a short-term borrowing plan, which involved taking money from capital reserve funds for the Anglemont Water System, the CSRD Administration Building, and the Area F Community Parks fund. The Board also supported the use of up to $500,00 from the Electoral Area F Community Works Fund to help offset the costs.

With these funds secured, the CSRD said it was able to get on track with having the fire hall rebuild start in the fall of 2025.

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“This is really about timing, it’s about getting some shovels in the ground as soon as we can,” Jay Simpson, Electoral Area F Director, stated.

“The delay to go through the MFA (Municipal Finance Authority) and public assent is challenging. I appreciate that we’ve been creative in this way. I hate the number but obviously we don’t have a choice.”

The CSRD noted the Board will want to pursue a long-term borrowing plan in the future, though that will involve obtaining voter assent. It indicated that could involve using the Alternative Approval Process, which requires at least 10 per cent of the eligible voters to submit a formal opposition to borrowing the money. The CSRD said the earliest this could be done would be in February of 2026.

It also stated that the CSRD was seeking grants and other outside funding opportunities to help offset the costs of the work.

The new Scotch Creek/ Lee Creek Fire Hall will be located at 1453 Beatty Road. It will be made using a prefabricated, steel structure that has enough space for the fire trucks, gear storage, and a training room that could also be used for community events.

“It’s important to know that we are not building anything extravagant,” Derek Sutherland, the CSRD’s General Manager of Community and Protective Services, said.

“Keeping the costs low, while still satisfying the needs of the fire department and the desire for a continued community space is always top of mind.”

It was expected that the new Scot Creek / Lee Creek Fire Hall would be rebuilt and operational by the fall of 2026.