A former Olds fire hall will become the new home for the local food bank and two other community organizations.
The fire hall at 4829 50th St. near the downtown has not been used since 2021 after the completion of a new town operations centre.
Efforts to sell the five-bay hall were unsuccessful because of underground environmental liabilities and zoning changes that meant it could not be used for businesses such as mechanic or auto body shops.
Consultants hired to determine the suitability of the building’s use for other tenants said the fire hall was built in 1979 on the site of a former gas station that left the ground contaminated.
“The contamination issue makes demolishing or constructing large additions to the building prohibitively expensive due to the remediation involved,” says the consultant’s report.
However, the space would work for local community organizations, Mountain View Food Bank, Olds and District Hospice Society and The Community Lending Shelf, which had outgrown their premises.
“All three have unique operations and unique needs, but from the administration’s point of view, the value of this proposal is significant,” town chief administrative officer Brent Williams told the council. “(I)t provides new homes, much more usable homes, to three in-need organizations to serve, in two cases, the people most in need in our society and in the hospice’s case people facing perhaps the most difficult times in their lives.”
Town council approved a motion on Monday directing administration to work out a long-term $1-per-year lease for the three organizations. The town will continue to own the building.
Mayor Judy Dahl said council is always looking for ways to support volunteer organizations.
“This project not only accomplishes that but allows us to revitalize an unused space and keep east Olds vibrant and community oriented.”