Fire trustees say they are happy with the calibre of general contractors who have applied to build a new fire hall for the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District (GFPID).

At the Wednesday GFPID board meeting, Chair Mark Noyon said 22 contractors have applied for the project. He said fire trustees met with Architect Kim Johnston of Johnston Davidson Architecture and Planning, reviewed the list and narrowed it down to eight. He said the information would be on BC Bid on Friday, which is when the project goes out to tender.

Fire Chief Rick Jackson said questions close on July 3, the last addendum - or clarification/response to questions - is July 5 and bidding closes on July 10. Noyon explained that all those bidding on a job are given all the information to “create a level playing field”.

Noyon also said local tradespeople can apply to work at the fire hall. He said they should contact gabfire@shaw.ca to provide information on their specialty, and that will be passed onto the general contractor.

Jackson said the building site for a new fire hall has been cleared of “accumulated stuff” in anticipation of having the land cleared. He said so far one of the contractors has returned a written estimate for the work.