The former Port Robinson Fire Station 3 will soon be listed for sale as the City of Thorold council voted last week to sell the surplus property.
However, after feedback from residents, council decided it will not go to just any buyer.
The city will have to present offers from prospective buyers to council and elected officials will choose which had the “best community use” in mind, said the motion approved Nov. 18.
In turn, the proceeds from the sale will go toward initiatives in Port Robinson, a community located just south of Thorold, Ont., by the Welland Canal.
During its 67 years of service, the fire hall hosted countless Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations before ending operations in 2021 due to the structure's poor condition and air quality, according to the city's 2024 fire emergency services review.
The land was up for sale in September, but the city removed the sign a month later after many residents were surprised by the city's decision to not consult with the community beforehand.
“There should have been more community consultation right from the beginning,” said George Upham, a former volunteer firefighter who worked at the station for 20 years, in an interview.
'Citizens had concerns': city councillor
Then on Oct. 21, a public information session was held where residents and city councillors discussed their hopes for the now-shuttered fire hall.
Thorold Coun. Ken Sentance told council it was clear during the session that the community wanted the city to find the “best buyer” for the property, and not the highest bidder.
“Citizens had concerns with the property if we were to sell it and that it was still cohesive with the neighbourhood,” Thorold city councillor Jim Handley told CBC News.
Handley mentioned a couple of prospective buyers interested in the site, including Niagara's Shriners Club and the Niagara Regional Fire Protection, a local fire suppression company.
Residents even wished for it to re-open as a fire station again, said Handley.
The city made an online questionnaire for the community to write their feedback on the future use of the property, but closed it after only a week of it being opened.
Handley said the whole process felt rushed.
"We found out that some people were trying to make submissions. The portal had been shut down from the direction of staff," he said.
The city then re-opened the form back up to the community until Nov. 11.
In the report, which was shared to CBC News, residents asked to take part in choosing the buyer and that the property be sold by a local realtor.
Some expressed wanting the property to be sold to a local business or resident, or that it be turned into a community centre, library, historical site or museum.
“I had just lots of good memories with fundraisers and community events,” said Upham, who helped organized some of these events, including a pig roast to celebrate Steelton's bridge crash in the Welland Canal.
'My kids grew up around the station': Upham
Upham was also awarded a medal for firefighter bravery in 2000 during his time as a volunteer firefighter at Fire Station 3.
“My kids grew up around the station,” said Upham. “My daughter became a volunteer firefighter as well, and so I got to train and work with her.”
The former fire hall was a part of the community, said Handley as he recalled the many street dances, Halloween candy and Christmas turkey rolls handed out to visitors of the station.
“We have Remembrance Day here, always on the 11th,” said Handley. “Geez, I [came] here for over 40 years.”
The Port Robinson Fire Station 3 also had their own marching bands made up of its volunteer firefighters and played at the Welland Rose Festival parades, Niagara’s Grape and Wine Festival and local Santa Claus parades.
Handley said residents in Port Robinson and family of firefighters that worked there could rent the lower floor at the fire hall to host their stag and doe, baby shower and wedding.
“If something’s going to happen to that building, it’s going to be in tune with the neighbourhood,” he said.