Photo by Emily Chatwood / MBC News
Construction will be beginning soon on a new ambulance base in Amherstview that is expected to strengthen emergency medical services across Loyalist Township and Lennox and Addington County.
County and township officials gathered Friday to mark the start of construction on the new facility, which will replace the temporary ambulance base currently operating nearby.
L&A County Warden and Loyalist Township Mayor Jim Hegadorn told myFM the project is part of the county’s long-term plan to build and upgrade ambulance bases across the region.
The new location, located north-west of the roundabout at County Road 6 and Taylor Kidd Blvd., was selected after studies looked at demographics, ambulance call locations and response times. Hegadorn said the site will serve the growing Loyalist Township area while also allowing paramedics to reach into Napanee and Stone Mills when needed.
The new facility will include six ambulance bays, a separate decontamination area, an emergency operations centre and a 60-person training room that can also be used by the community.
Paramedic Chief of Lennox and Addington Paramedic Services, Craig Jones, shared with myFM this is an exciting time for staff, who have been waiting a long time.
The building plans have also incorperated some environmental green features. The most facinating being rain water collection to wash the vehicles.
The construction contract was awarded to Jeffery G. Wallans Construction Limited. The new ambulance base is expected to be completed by Oct. 29, 2027.
Written by Emily Chatwood
