SUMMERDALE - The Town of Summerdale and Summerdale Volunteer Fire Department are bringing in an architect to begin preliminary discussions and designs on a new fire station. When asked if there was anything the department needed considered for this fiscal year’s budget, the response was unanimous: a bigger station in a more central location.

“I know the firefighters are ready, it’s a constant chatter around the station,” said firefighter Tiffany Givens. “Where we keep our spare gear for example, we’re turning around in circles because we can’t fit. We have boots and vests just stacked up on top of each other.”

Mayor David Wilson said he’d like to see a new station built that could accommodate the firefighters and their equipment, while keeping the current building as a substation. The fire department would like to see a larger building with more space for training, parking, and a helipad. The department estimates it will need approximately five usable acres.

Wilson has spoken with Mac Walcott of Walcott Adams, and the council has voted to enter into discussions with Walcott to design the new fire station and provide cost estimates. Meanwhile, the council voted to begin negotiations for a piece of property located at the southwest corner of Highways 73 and 32. The fire department feels this would be a great location with easy access to travel in every direction. It would also bring them closer to the Beach Express. The town’s offer is $150,000.

“The agreement will allow us to pay at $2,500 option that if we purchase the property it will first go through some testing to make sure that it has no problems,” said Wilson. “We’ll check for contamination and to make sure there’s suitable soil so the building won’t sink.”

Wilson hopes to have plans and designs in place by January 2021, and for construction to begin by the end of next year.

“I think this is a big move for the Town of Summerdale,” Wilson said. “I can’t tell you how proud of the fire department that we are as a mayor and council and staff, because I just honestly didn’t think that we’d ever get to this day. This is a wonderful time.”