Plans to relocate Chatham’s main fire station could take the next step forward next week.
Chatham-Kent administration is recommending that Fire Station 1 be moved from its current location at the CK Civic Centre in downtown Chatham to the former St. Ursula Catholic School property at 426 Lacroix Street.
A portion of the municipally owned 4.44-acre property on Lacroix Street would be allocated to the fire station, which would be designed to accommodate fire suppression apparatus and personnel. The remainder of the site would be redeveloped into affordable and market housing, depending on municipal needs.
Demolition of the existing school building on the property has already begun.
The move is part of CK’s 10-year Fire Master Plan, which was approved by council in June 2024 to guide decisions in providing effective and efficient fire protection and emergency services in the municipality. Since the approval of the plan, CK administration has been exploring relocation options for Station 1, taking into account fire response times, availability of land, servicing, environmental constraints, remediation costs, and land purchase costs.
Council will be asked on Monday to approve the chosen site and to undertake a site plan, as well as a concept and preliminary design for the building. Public consultation would also be included in this process.
If approved, the report would return to council in September with construction of the new fire station set to begin in 2027/2028.
