Relocating Fire Station No. 5: Improving Community Response
Saskatoon Fire Department has relocated Fire Station No. 5 from Central Avenue to 1075 Preston Avenue North.
As Saskatoon grows, gaps and overlaps in emergency response service required re-evaluating station locations. Part of good governance, rethinking station locations allows us to work toward meeting national standards for travel times. This is not the first time a fire station has been de-commissioned and moved.
This new station:
- Improves travel times
- Reduces station overlap
- Includes shared cultural space for use by SFD, University of Saskatchewan, civic departments and community groups.
History of Fire Station No. 5
1966
Fire Station No. 5 was built in 1966 at 421 Central Avenue. At the time, the population of Saskatoon was approximately 115,247.
2002
In communication with council, SFD decided to keep Fire Station No. 5 open as an interim measure until a new station could be built.
2014
During a Continuous Improvement analysis in 2014, the Saskatoon Fire Department examined response times for the City’s nine current fire stations. Computer generated modelling was used to determine which station locations would best meet the demands of future City growth. The mapping revealed relocating Fire Station No. 5 nearer to the intersection of College Drive and Preston Avenue would assist the SFD in meeting its service and safety goal of a four minute travel time.
2022
Construction on the new fire station got underway.
2023
Construction was completed and the new Fire Station No. 5 officially opened.
Planning Process and Timeline
The planning process and timeline for completion of the Fire Station No. 5 is as follows:
- Design Request for Proposal: December 2020
- Construction Request for Qualifications: October-November, 2021
- Design Complete: December 2021
- Request to Tender Issued to Selected Contractors: December 30, 2021
- Project Tender Awarded: February 10, 2022
- Construction: April 2022-June 2023
- Project Substantially Complete: July 2023
- Operations Begin: Fall 2023
Design
- Approximately 10,000 square feet on two floors
- Two bays house a single pumper truck and another two trucks on reserve
- A shared cultural space for up to 20 people
Project Updates
- November 2017: Public Information Sessions held
- December 2020: Design services Request for Proposal
- February 2021: Design contract awarded to aodbt architecture + interior design
- October-November 2021: Construction Request for Qualifications
- December 2021: Design completed
- December 30, 2021: Request to Tender issued to Selected Contractors
- January 27, 2022: Request to Tender period closed
- February 10, 2022: Construction contract awarded to VCM Construction Ltd.
- April 2022: Construction in progress
- April 21, 2022: SFD announces breaking ground on new fire station
- August 3, 2022: Structural steel structure completed; underground mechanical work and coffins continue with slab backfill following; hollow core bearing masonry continues and follows the mechanical and backfill work; brick angles installed; trench drains on-site; and electrical rough-ins have started.
- August 29, 2023: SFD hosts a ceremonial Grand Opening event for Fire Station No. 5.
