South Bruce Peninsula council received a presentation for a proposed new ambulance depot at the Sauble Beach Medical Centre.
A delegation was made to council at its meeting Tuesday by Architect Grant Diemert of G. M. Diemert Architect Inc.
Diemert says the proposed 1,885 square-foot depot would be built on the east side of the medical centre. It would feature an ambulance bay, a small office space and various other amenities for emergency service members.
Diemert says this was his first appearance to council with the proposal.
“Next steps would include, first of all council has to agree this is what they wish to do. I would need to be instructed to go forward if it were desirable, then working drawings and building permit drawings would be produced I presume, and the project would be issued for tender,” says Diemert.
Diemert adds this property was selected for the depot as it is a good location for EMS personnel to access the region around Sauble.
“I think it is an inexpensive option for the municipality to pursue and it is a good location and it is a space that has been vacant for a long time,” says Diemert.
Diemert says the costs associated with the proposed depot will be determined at a later date.
CAO Bill Jones says when they looked as a new ambulance bay last year, the cost came to a ballpark of $1.2-million to $1.5-million.
During the presentation, there was some discussion about the possibility of adding a second ambulance bay.
Coun. Paul McKenzie voiced his support for this proposal and questioned where they would be able to build an additional ambulance bay.
Diemert says they hadn’t looked at that yet, however, the possibility would be examined.
Mayor Janice Jackson adds it wouldn’t be out of the question to add a second ambulance bay somewhere in 10 years if needed.
“I know that Bruce County feels very comfortable in requiring just one bay at this time, but it is a wonderful use for the empty space in this medical centre and of course it will give us a 20-year tenant,” says Jackson.
