Council has agreed to spend about $51,000 towards improving the local fire hall, which could see additional improvements in the not-so-distant future.
Members of council also heard that municipality may have to spend additional funds to improve the roof of the facility, which has not received any major upgrades since the early 1980s.
Proposed improvements include a new coat of paint (rusty red), a stone feature and improvements to the appearance of the roof.
Mayor Janice Perrino said the improvements were overdue.
“Most places need a little bit of an upgrade after 30 years,” she said, as council approved the funding by a 5-1 vote with Coun. Bruce Hallquist opposed.
She suggested that the improvements took on a greater urgency in light of the fact that the district might have to use the facility for decades to come.
Voters in 2002 rejected through a referendum plans to house the local fire department along with police and ambulance services in a new, modern facility.
While Hallquist acknowledged the need to upgrade the fire hall and praised the district for setting an example in improving the downtown core, he wondered whether the current economic climate is appropriate.
“I like the project... but I think the timing is poor,” he said.
Council approved the funding after a brief presentation from municipal planner Ian McIntosh.
They also heard from Summerland Fire Chief Glenn Noble, who told council the roof of the fire hall will require more substantial improvements. “The roof is definitely going to need work in the next couple of years for sure,” he said.