Sylvan Lake town council has approved bumping up the budget for a new fire hall to $6.27 million.
Originally, $4.6 million was set aside for the project, but the most recent review has pegged the bill as much higher.
Staff reviewed fire hall projects in other municipalities and found the $262-per-square-foot cost of the new building is “reasonable and is within the price range of other comparable newer fire halls in Alberta.”
The staff analysis also found other communities have experienced similar price increases from original budgets.
Rising construction costs and the need for more site work than anticipated because of a sloping proposed site contributed to the increased cost in Sylvan Lake.
Alternate sites were reviewed but the first choice on Beacon Hill, south of the new RCMP station remains the best location, council was informed.
Council also gave first reading on Monday to a bylaw to borrow $5 million for the project. The rest of the cost will be covered through a $600,000 grant, $520,000 from the sale of the existing fire hall, and about $150,000 from reserves.