By Joe Morey
News Editor
The official groundbreaking was held for the new LCO Fire Hall on Thursday, August 6. The $1,530,000 project will be located at the site of the former Tru-Gas satellite gas tanks near the Four Corners area of Trepania Road, Froemel Road, Round Lake School Road and Indian Trail.
The funds are part of the federal CARES Act plan from Covid-19 relief and preparation. A plan will be developed that renovates the current fire hall into a 4-classroom expansion of the LCO Ojibwe School which will be used for the Waadookodading Environmental Charter School.
Dr. Mike Sullivan gave a blessing at the groundbreaking and asked for continued strength and courage for the firefighters for what they do for our community.
TGB Member Tweed Shuman said he was honored to be a part of this great use of CARES Act money and he is pleased that by building a new fire hall, it will open up the current space for new classrooms on the footprint of the LCO Ojibwe School.
LCO Vice Chairwoman Lorraine Gouge said the old fire hall was named after Mahlon Nickence who did so much for fire and public safety in our community. She said the Tribe will continue that honoring with the new fire hall.
LCO Fire Chief Jim Miller thanked the Tribal Governing Board and DBS Group, the design and builders, for all their hard work and for all they are doing for the fire department.
Pictured from L-R) LCO Fire Department personnel Irv Cross, Chris Headworth, DBS Design Director Mike Campbell, TGB Members Tweed Shuman, Glenda Barber, Michelle Beaudin, LCO Vice Chairwoman Lorraine Gouge, LCO Development Director Bob Sharlow, TGB Member Gary "Little Guy" Clause and LCO Fire Chief Jim Miller.