County awards $5.99M contract for North Paris Fire Station; budget tops up for contingency

Pictured is the final design for the North End Fire Hall to be located at 21 Ann Wilson Way (Scott Ave). Lanca Contracting Ltd was awarded the $5,989,000 winning bid. 

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The County of Brant’s Administration and Operations Committee voted Sept. 16 to award the construction of the new North Paris Fire Station to Lanca Contracting Limited for $5,989,000 before HST, and to increase the project budget by $850,350 to cover a recommended 15% construction contingency funded by development charges. 

Under the staff recommendation, the low bid from Lanca emerged from eight compliant tenders following a pre-qualification of 13 general contractors. Other bids ranged from roughly $6.13 million to $7.80 million. While the winning price came in below a March 2025 Class B estimate of $7.03 million (construction only), staff said additional contingency is prudent for unforeseen costs during the build. Development charges will fund the capital, including any debt recovered from future development charges. 

The 11,406-sq-ft station (9,844 sq. ft. ground floor plus 1,562 sq. ft. mezzanine) is designed to be net-zero and carbon-zero in operation, using a fully electric system complemented by rooftop solar to meet Ontario SB-10 standards. Because the site sits within a wellhead protection area, stormwater management has been a key design focus and has been coordinated with the broader Gilbert Wellfield Stormwater Management project. 

The plan accommodates six apparatus, including space for an aerial-size truck, and separates bunker gear and SCBA storage to improve firefighter safety. It includes male and female change rooms with showers, a universal public washroom, a training room and kitchenette, administrative space for the District Chief and officers, an IT network room with 24/7 access, and an antique truck display at the public entrance. A vestibule will also feature a County of Brant Library kiosk. The layout is intended to support future staffing growth and could accommodate a paramedic base. 

Staff provided an updated project budget of $8.07 million, reflecting the construction tender, architect fees, other non-tender items (FFE/IT/staff costs), and the 15% contingency. The County will seek Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund support—up to 80% of eligible costs (with a grant portion typically about 15% of the loan amount)—to reduce the debt component ultimately recovered from development charges. 

With committee approval of the tender award and contingency funding, staff will proceed to contract execution and construction mobilization for the North Paris Fire Station.