Rendering of the proposed Tobiano fire hall. (Image Credit: Thompson-Nicola Regional District)

By Elora McCormack

Tobiano Fire Hall

TNRD to include Tobiano fire hall referendum with October municipal vote

Sep 18, 2026 | 1:41 PM

TOBIANO, B.C. — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will open the polls in October on a referendum ballot for Tobiano residents on whether to approve a loan of up to $2.5 million for a new fire hall.

If approved, the loan would equate to a residential tax increase of $41 per $100,000 of assessed value.

“$2.5 million would be the maximum amount that could be borrowed, and the actual amount would be based on the final project cost. The estimated capital budget for a Tobiano fire hall is $2.7 million, with $200,000 being allocated from available grant funding,” said the TNRD in a statement.

The TNRD and developer Diverse Properties have reached an agreement in principle for the donation of a property at the corner of Colebrook Road for the new fire hall.

“This location is central in Tobiano and within eight kilometres of all properties in the service area,” said the TNRD.

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“The Tobiano Fire Department continues to operate out of the golf course maintenance building, which is a temporary arrangement that is not suitable for permanent use. A purpose-built Tobiano fire hall would have all relevant spaces of a rural fire hall, including proper room for turnout gear, fire trucks, apparatus, as well as changerooms, washrooms and a chief’s office.”

The referendum will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, and it will be for properties in the Tobiano Fire Protection Service Area. It was required after residents of Tobiano and Cherry Creek voted against expanded fire protection services last year.

The referendum voting date aligns with the 2026 General Local Election, but Tobiano and all of Electoral Area “J” will not be voting a candidate, as there was only one candidate running in Area “J.”

General voting day will happen at 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Tobiano Presentation Centre, advance voting will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the TNRD Civic Building in Kamloops.

Residents can also vote by mail by requesting a ballot and sending it to the Chief Election Officer by 8:00 p.m. on general voting day.

by Elora McCormack

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TNRD to include Tobiano fire hall referendum with October municipal vote

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