Construction has begun on a brand-new, $3-million building for Chilliwack Search and Rescue (SAR).
Volunteers with the local emergency rescue group, along with City of Chilliwack officials and others, gathered at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday (Jan. 16) on Fifth Avenue.
SAR president Greg Unruh, who has been with SAR for more than 30 years, noted how much Chilliwack has grown over the decades and said they outgrew their old site years ago and a new building is very much needed.
“There are so many more demands on a SAR volunteer now,” he said. “We started off with 30 calls a year, now we’re doing 100 calls a year on average. The expectation as we grow is that every SAR volunteer has to be more qualified, it takes more effort to get them qualified.”
This vital project will dramatically improve the operational capacity of B.C.’s third busiest SAR team by offering significantly more space for a growing fleet of vehicles and rescue equipment. It will have a training space which includes a large classroom plus breakout rooms for the team of 34 dedicated volunteers.
“The building itself has been designed to remain functional in the event of a natural disaster and ensures that Chilliwack residents can rely upon the assistance of a highly skilled search and rescue response for the foreseeable future,” according to the release.
It is being built by Gerry Enns Contracting and the expected completion date is October 2024.
The old, out-of-date building on Fifth Avenue was demolished and the new building will be built on the same site. The old facility was made up of many different buildings that were falling apart, cracked and drafty.
It took eight weeks to tear down the former SAR hall and prepare the ground for the new building.
During construction, volunteers will be based out of a temporary location so they can continue to operate 24/7.
“Without the City of Chilliwack, mayor and council, we would not be standing here right now,” Unruh said, adding that the city has supported them for decades.
The now-demolished building was a gift from the city circa 1980. SAR members attended a city council meeting back in 2016 stating the need for a new facility.
“Everywhere in the province does not have the same support that we’ve got to enjoy, and I think our partnership has been awesome thanks to the city,” Unruh said.
In October 2023, city council approved rezoning changes and a development variance permit for the new building.
READ MORE: City councillor lavishes praise on Chilliwack Search and Rescue
The city chipped in $1 million to the effort. Over the past 15 years, Chilliwack SAR itself managed to scrimp and save $1 million, and they began fundraising for the remaining $1 million in the spring of 2023. So far, they have raised $420,892.
The team has been overwhelmed by the support from the local community but is still actively fundraising and hoping for more local businesses to step up to help close the remaining funding gap.
One donor, the Chilliwack Lions Club, handed over a cheque for $5,000 before the groundbreaking that day.
READ MORE: Chilliwack Search and Rescue raising funds for new building
Chilliwack SAR has been around since 1986. It started with eight members who responded to 12 calls that year. In 2021, the group had grown to about 45 members and responded to 121 calls. Their vehicle fleet went from three in 1986 to 14 in 2021.
They are recruiting and will be having an upcoming information event on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. at Chilliwack City Hall.
READ MORE: Chilliwack Search and Rescue looking for new recruits
