As a member of the Emergency Services Advisory Committee, I am dismayed by the recent Peak article relative to the decision of City of Powell River not to proceed with a fire hall [“City of Powell River not proceeding with new fire hall,” September 19].
In particular, the statement that the public works site would add $1.5 million to the building cost. The schematic plan/design the committee was working with had offices, crew quarters and other public meeting space located on an upper floor.
The selected site would allow for ground-level entry to all areas of the building. It was a key part in the recommendation to recommend that site.
Without that element being conveyed, city staff and citizenry could be misled into a belief the committee was acting irresponsibly when they recommended that site. Did the staff report include the additional cost of providing handicapped access to all areas of the building (ramp, elevator) if the building was to be constructed on a level site? I doubt it.
Steve Short,
Joyce Avenue
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