The Town of Comox has taken another step toward replacing its aging fire hall, with council approving the submission of cost estimates and giving the green light to proceed with construction if the project comes in on budget.

The existing fire station was built in 1977 and no longer meets modern safety, operational, or post-disaster standards.

Since it opened, Comox Fire Rescue has expanded significantly, growing from 22 firefighters responding to fewer than 100 calls a year to more than 60 firefighters now handling close to 1,000 incidents annually, including medical and fire calls.

The project is estimated to cost about $6.1 million, with a total of roughly $7 million once contingency is included.

Costs will be shared, with the Town of Comox covering two-thirds and the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District paying the remaining one-third.

Additional funding will come from Development Cost Charges, along with a $50,000 contribution from the Comox Fire Association for furnishings.

The Town has also applied for a $5-million federal grant through the Strategic Priorities Fund.

If approved, the funding would significantly reduce the impact on local taxpayers.

Without grant support, the project is expected to result in a 2.1-percent tax increase starting in 2028, which works out to be about $33 per representative household.

Interest-only borrowing costs during construction are already included in the 2026 budget.

Planning for the new fire hall is well underway, with the planning and design phase now more than 75 percent complete, allowing the Town to move toward confirming final cost estimates.

Construction is expected to begin in April and take approximately 14 months to complete.

The updated fire station is being designed to meet post-disaster standards and will include backup power so it can serve as the Town’s Emergency Operations Centre.

Other features include improved decontamination and health facilities for firefighters, universal accessibility, expanded training and office space, and five on-site affordable lodging units to support faster overnight response times.

The Town says the project is intended to support firefighter safety, manage long-term costs, and ensure Comox Fire Rescue can continue delivering emergency services to the community for decades to come.

For more information, visit Town of Comox.