Members of the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek Fire Department and the CSRD Board marking the start of construction on the new fire station on Nov. 18, 2025. (Image Credit: Liberty Construction via CSRD)

By Victor Kaisar

New Fire Station

Construction underway on new Scotch Creek-Lee Creek fire station in the North Shuswap

Nov 20, 2025 | 10:45 AM

SCOTCH CREEK, B.C. — Ground has been broken and work is underway on a new fire station to serve the communities of Scotch Creek and Lee Creek in the North Shuswap.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday (Nov. 18) at 1435 Beatty Road in Scotch Creek. That property is located not far from where the former fire station — which was destroyed in the Bush Creek East wildfire in 2023 — was located.

“It’s deeply meaningful to get this project to the start of construction,” said Derek Sutherland, the CSRD’s general manager of community and protective services. “It’s another important step in rebuilding and it’s a tangible sign of the North Shuswap’s strength and resilience.”

The rebuilt Scotch Creek-Lee Creek fire station will consist of a prefabricated, steel structure with space for fire trucks, gear and a training room, which could also be used for community events.

The CSRD says the new site offers better access for fire trucks. It’s also a larger property with room to accomodate a future expansion of the building, should it be needed.

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Work on the project has been contracted to Liberty Construction Group, at an estimated price tag of $5.6 million, more than double the $2.3 million that insurance would have paid out in replacement costs for the former building.

“Every trade partner on the project is from the Shuswap region, bringing local knowledge, pride and a determination to deliver something worthy of the community,” added Kevin Kinakin, the director of projects for Liberty Contract Management in a release.

“They have already been instrumental in finding practical cost-saving and value-engineering solutions, and they are eager to get to work… We know the community looks forward to a hall built not only with skill, but with heart.”

In August, the CSRD also hinted at plans to move its interim borrowing plan that allowed work to get underway this fall to a long-term borrowing plan. That approval may be sought through either an alternative approval process (AAP) in February or a referendum during the municipal election in October.

“It’s important to know that we are not building anything extravagant,” Sutherland said at the time. “Keeping the costs low while still satisfying the needs of the fire department and the desire for a continued community space is always top of mind.”

Construction on the new Scotch Creek-Lee Creek fire station is expected to wrap up in August 2026,