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Delavan to dedicate new fire station

DELAVAN — Nobody should wonder why Fire Chief Neill Flood and the other 35 paid-on-call firefighters who make up the Delavan Fire Department are smiling so much these days.

But it'll be obvious to those who attend dedication ceremonies and an open house at the city's new fire station Saturday.

The community can celebrate along with the department starting at 12:30 p.m., when department personnel will process from the old fire station on Seventh Street to the new location at 811 Ann St.

Ground was broken April 9, and the station was completed in October. The 16,000-square-foot, single-story structure cost $2.31 million. It includes offices for the chief, assistant chief, dispatcher and inspector, a conference room and a training space.

The building has been designed so the training room can be used for evening community activities.

That's a long way from 1983, when the fire department moved into the former Fagan Ford dealership.

Delavan City Councilman Ryan Schroeder, a member of the police and fire commission, said the city can be proud of the new fire station.

"Not only is it good for the fire department and helps improve safety, but it helps that neighborhood and the city of Delavan as a whole," Schroeder added.

"We're hoping that we see other growth and economic development opportunities in that area, which would create jobs and add to the tax base."

IF YOU GO

What: Open house at new Delavan Fire Department headquarters

When: Department personnel will process from the old station to the new at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Open house is 1-4 p.m.

Where: 811 Ann St., Delavan.

Details: Mayor Mel Niewenhuis will speak during ceremonies that will include a ribbon cutting and dedication.