The FireRescue training centre at 1900 9th Street South. Its renovation is one of the more contested capital items in the recent record.
Fire Chief Jeremy Jones reported to the CityCommission at CityCommission2025-04-15 that the existing five-storey training tower had been deemed unsuitable and unsafe. An engineering assessment in November 2022 put repair costs, including additions, at $675,000 — more than the structure's practical value. The tower fails current OSHA standards, and the surrounding grounds had deteriorated to the point that fire apparatus regularly became immobilised on failed pavement in wet conditions.
The proposed renovation: demolition and removal of the tower at $65,000; a new multi-storey live fire and high-rise training prop at $1,212,000; full removal and replacement of all concrete and asphalt on site at $553,500; and a contingency of $669,500 — a total estimate of $2,500,000.
Financing was proposed through a Montana Board of Investments INTERCAP loan of not more than $2,500,000. Debt service would be supported by reallocating the 3.5 mills released from the former City and library management agreement — see LibraryMillLevy. A 15-year MBOI loan at 5% was estimated at $238,888.20 a year, against total non-voted debt capacity of $3,616,201 and projected annual repayment capacity of $593,853.
The motion carried 4-1, Commissioner McKenney? dissenting. The item had been raised as a commission initiative at CityCommission2025-04-01.
The project drew repeated public comment in opposition through 2025, including suggestions that crews train on condemned buildings instead. A WHP MODx modular custom X-Series fire training simulator for the centre was approved 5-0 at CityCommission2026-06-16 under Office Files 1854.0 and 1727.7. A capital improvement plan for the centre had been taken at WorkSession2025-01-21.
The EmsAdvisoryBoard meets at the centre.
Minutes, April 15, 2025: https://greatfallsmt.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04152025-252