Rideau Lakes Township picks Lombardy, Ont. for new fire station after 2021 fire
![Portland aftermath The aftermath of a fire at the Rideau Lakes fire station in Portland, Ont. Dec. 22, 2021. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2021/12/22/portland-aftermath-1-5716879-1640196778491.png)
The Township of Rideau Lakes announced on Wednesday that Fire Station 2 will be rebuilt in the community of Lombardy after a fire destroyed the original Station 2 in Portland in December 2021.
In a statement, the township says it has entered into an agreement to acquire a five-acre piece of land near the corner of Highway 15 and Otter Lake Road, determining that it was the optimal area to build the new station on the Highway 15 corridor.
The township noted the new location of Fire Station 2 was a complex matter and took into account the future needs of the community.
The statement goes on to say the location will result in an even distribution of fire stations across the township, with one located in each ward. Current sites in North Crosby, Elgin and Delta will not change under this decision.
The village of Portland is centrally located between the new station, and the Delta and Elgin fire stations, and it will continue to be effectively serviced the statement reads.
"Rideau Lakes is a very large rural municipality at 750 square kilometres. Today’s decision is another example of our commitment to strategic decision making with a long-term and fiscally responsible lens," said Rideau Lakes Township Mayor Arie Hoogenboom. "This decision will provide a balanced approach to fire and rescue response locations across the entire municipality."
Fire Chief Scott Granahan said, "The feedback regarding the new station location from firefighters has been extremely positive. This site will also allow more community members from the South Elmsley ward and surrounding area to consider joining the department and serving our community."
The three station vehicles that were lost in the 2021 fire have been replaced, with insurance covering the costs, along with all station equipment.
The new station will be covered by insurance on a full-replacement-cost basis, with extra enhancements added, to be paid for by the township.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6963806.1721000812!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Trudeau says he spoke with Trump after shooting, condemned political violence
The Prime Minister's office says Justin Trudeau spoke this afternoon with former president Donald Trump in the wake of a deadly shooting at one of his campaign rallies on Saturday.
DEVELOPING What we know about the 20-year-old man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., as the suspect in Saturday's attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
Read the letter from Melania Trump responding to attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Former first lady Melania Trump issued her first public response since her husband, former President Donald Trump, was injured in a shooting at one of his rallies on Saturday.
Donald Trump arrives in Milwaukee for RNC after assassination attempt heightens security fears
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention a day after he was targeted in an attempted assassination at a campaign event.
What an ex-FBI agent noticed in the aftermath of Donald Trump rally shooting
An apparent assassination attempt has many questioning how a shooting that wounded former U.S. president Donald Trump was even possible.
LCBO reverses plan to open select stores on Friday as strike continues
The LCBO has reversed its plan to open select stores on Friday as retail workers continue to strike across the province, according to a statement from the Crown corporation on Sunday.
Obituary Shannen Doherty, '90210' actress, dies at 53, People magazine reports
American actor Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh on hit 1990s television drama 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' has died at age 53 following a years-long battle with cancer.
Spain beats England 2-1 to win record fourth European Championship title
Spain is the king of European soccer for a record fourth time. For England, it's another agonizing near-miss in the team's decades-long tale of underachievement.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, hands Carlos Alcaraz his Wimbledon trophy in a rare appearance for her
Kate, the Princess of Wales, handed Carlos Alcaraz the champion's trophy after the Wimbledon men's final at the All England Club on Sunday in only her second public appearance since announcing she was diagnosed with cancer.