Replacing old fire halls sparks tension between Anmore and Belcarra over cost sharing

Two fire halls in Anmore and Belcarra are in dire need of replacement, but working out the costs has ignited an impasse between the two villages.

On June 19, the Village of Belcarra issued a letter to the Village of Anmore, the province, and Metro Vancouver, notifying that it will be seeking a formal service review in relation to the Sasamat Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD).

The letter stated Belcarra had been trying to enter negotiations with Anmore over cost sharing and governance structure of the existing agreement, but that Anmore had been unwilling to engage in discussions.

“Several formal requests have been made to meet with Anmore Council for further discussion on the SVFD, however, as responses from the Village of Anmore have not indicated any interest in discussion, Belcarra council has chosen to initiate a service review,” the letter stated.

The current funding formula for the SVFD was set 35 years ago, splitting capital construction costs evenly between the two municipalities.

By requesting a service review by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, Belcarra is trying to rework its share of the fire halls’ price tag, given Anmore has since grown to three times Belcarra’s size.

But Anmore Mayor John McEwen said Anmore council has no interest in changing the 50-50 model, arguing both municipalities need these assets. 

“It’s been extremely frustrating,” McEwen said. “Strictly from our perspective, it seems like it’s all about the money.”

In 2019, an engineering assessment was completed on the two 45-year-old fire halls, highlighting serious deficiencies in relation to minimum seismic specifications and operational needs. 

The report concluded there were also safety risks to SVFD volunteers as the building did not meet WorkSafeBC standards, and that replacements should be considered by the municipalities.

Tensions arose between the two villages after Anmore council sent a letter of intent to Belcarra in June, 2023 stating they wanted to start the planning process to replace the fire hall located in Anmore.

Belcarra responded in July, arguing the SVFD is a regional service, not a municipal service, and any decision would need to come from the board of trustees (composed of three Anmore and three Belcarra councillors). 

Belcarra also requested a review of SVFD’s governance and financial models.

No response was received from Anmore, and another query in October also went unanswered, according to the Village of Belcarra.

Another letter was sent by Belcarra on Feb. 1, 2024, again requesting discussion, and cautioning they may initiate a formal service review if negotiations are not successful.

Although a response was received on April 11: “There was no indication in this letter that the Village of Anmore wished to enter into discussions,” the Village of Belcarra stated.

Former Belcarra mayor and SVFD board trustee, Ralph Drew, called Anmore council’s lack of engagement “irresponsible,” stating they have a fiduciary responsibility to negotiate.

Drew said the fire hall properties are held in trust between the two municipalities, and it wasn’t Anmore’s place to start making unilateral declarations about redevelopment.

“It’s not their fire hall. It’s the SVFD Firehall. At this point in time Belcarra owns 50 percent of everything; 50 percent of the fire hall; 50 percent of all trucks and equipment, and vice versa,” Drew said. “They have to agree, or nothing happens.”

He added the previous cost sharing formula seems “a little out of balance” today, given Anmore’s growth relative to Belcarra.

“What is fair and proper?” Drew said. “I don’t think you have to be a magician to figure out that maybe it’s time for a review.”

SVFD’s trustees unanimously voted to start the planning and design process for the two fire halls earlier this year, but McEwen said Anmore was taken by surprise by Belcarra’s request for a service review.

He said in the last SVFD trustee meeting, they voted to have mock up drawings of the new fire halls, preparing to approach senior levels of government for funding.

“To have this was somewhat shocking,” McEwen said. “We have had repeated votes, and they have been unanimous, that both these facilities need to be replaced . . . I’m not sure what’s happening in Belcarra.”

McEwen added these replacements have long been expected, describing the fire halls as “old and decrepit.” He said Anmore has been putting money into reserves to cover the costs, which he estimates could range up to $12 million.

And while McEwen acknowledged Belcarra’s small size in comparison to Anmore, he said Anmore covers 75 percent of SVFD’s operational costs.

Drew, on the other hand, said it was not surprising to see disagreements surface ahead of large capital expenditures, adding there was a similar standoff 35 years ago.

He added the Local Government Act has provisions to address such disputes, which Belcarra is currently pursuing.

“Why is there tension in the air? Well, because it’s money,” Drew said. “The provincial government (35 years ago) was very straightforward. They said, ‘You guys come up with a number, or we’ll do it for you.’ End of discussion.”

The Dispatch requested an interview with Village of Belcarra CAO Paula Richardson, but no response was received by deadline.