New & improved fire hall for North Oyster community

The North Oyster Fire Hall No. 1, located in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD), recently underwent a 3,800 square foot renovation and 5,300 square foot addition, to help the facility better support the growing North Oyster Volunteer Fire Department.

Completed in 2019, the project includes four new post-disaster apparatus bays, a gear storage room, modernized workshop and an SCBA compressor room, and accommodates additional and larger sized apparatus.

The renovations and post-disaster extension at the CVRD Headquarter station contain a large component of wood products in the framing and structure, with glulam and engineered mass timber for support and aesthetics.

Wood products are also an affordable and sustainable option, allowing the project renovations to remain at a budget of $3.1 million, or $345 per square foot.

The design of the new facility is simultaneously integrated into the architecture of the current Hall while also acting as a standalone building, accomplished by utilizing a bold fire engine red as the building facade.

The existing Hall remained fully operational throughout the construction process to allow the Fire Department to continue responding to incidents from Fire Hall No. 1 during renovations. The old Fire Hall will serve primarily as administration and reception for cost efficiency.

Learn more about our fire hall designs at jdarch.ca/protective-emergency-services/