The opening of Sarnia's newest fire hall has been pushed to later this year.
Sarnia Fire and Rescue Services Chief Bryan Van Gaver told Sarnia News Today construction of the Colborne Road station has slowed down again over the last couple of months.
"We've had some issues with material, and labour shortages, and scheduling," Van Gaver said. "So that has extended [the timeline] a bit, but it will be complete by November."
Van Gaver said the bottom line of the nearly $7 million project hasn't been impacted.
"The delays have not caused any strains to the budget. We're still on schedule with that," he said.
Van Gaver said the main structure and most of the mechanical services are complete.
"We're at the point now where we're going to be closing in the ceilings, looking at starting tiling, as well as painting. While that's going on, simultaneously, we'll be looking at completing the exterior. That would include the metal roof and siding portions, as well as finishing up the brick work."
Van Gaver said he visits the site a few times a week to see how it's progressing.
"It's getting very exciting seeing things come together. Obviously from the road you don't see a lot, but once you're in there, you can really see that it's getting to the point where things are really going to start to come together," Van Gaver said.
He said all of the firefighters are anxious to get into the new building.
"If you look at the two [buildings], side-by-side, what the firefighters are operating out of now as opposed to what they'll be in, in a few months, they're excited," he said. "No doubt about it."
Van Gaver said the old station will be demolished as soon as the new station opens.
"Obviously it's more of a gender neutral facility. Rather than just having one washroom for everybody, there are individuals. There's a bunker gear extraction room. So, when people come back with their dirty gear, they can strip it down and launder it," he said.
Last November, Van Gaver expected construction of the building to be complete this summer.
