Firefighters given relief from close quarters

Bonita Springs firefighters are finally sleeping in their much anticipated new facility.

The 30,000-square-foot building on Bonita Grande Drive began accommodating 24-hour firefighter shifts last week, more than a year after construction was slated to be completed.

The firefighters are the first employees to move into the building, as the fire district awaits completion of the administrative side of the large complex. Station Four will eventually serve as the fire department’s headquarters and training facility.

Getting someone into the building is a good start, said Fire Chief Dan Gourley. Firefighters and paramedics had been spending 12 hours a day in a 12-by-20 foot side room of the building for several months. Crews will now be at Station Four 24 hours a day.

Until this week, conditions were cramped. Bathroom facilities were often portable toilets and food was always brought in from outside. But that was the only room ready for occupants, said Bonita Fire spokeswoman Debbi Redfield.

The new digs, complete with spacious living quarters, a fitness center, a lounging area and a modern kitchen, is a welcome change, said Lt. Dave Lees, an 18-year veteran of the department who has been stationed at the Bonita Grande facility since October.

“It almost seems too big,” Lees said as he looked around.

Once complete, the building will house 34 employees and 12 firefighters, Gourley said. Gourley said he’s hesitant to speculate when the department’s administrative personnel will finally be able to move into their offices.

The $4.3 million building is already more than a year delayed from its original opening date as lawyers for the fire district battle with the district’s former construction company, Cape Coral-based Compass Construction.

Lawyers representing the two sides are negotiating over who will pay for construction problems, Gourley said. The two sides have a mediation meeting scheduled for August. The fire district has since hired Naples-based Bradanna Inc. to correct construction issues, most of which relate to flooring.

“We’re getting closer, it’s just Bradanna’s got certain amount of work yet. So when they’re ready, we’re ready,” Gourley said. “Hopefully, it’ll be a pleasant surprise.”