Restaurant takes shape in historic fire hall

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This article was published 07/11/2015 (3832 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s down to the finishing touches on a major renovation project that will see Brandon’s historic fire hall revamped into Prairie Firehouse restaurant.

The local landmark at 637 Princess Ave. has been under construction since the spring, and work is expected to be complete in a matter of weeks.

“Everyone involved in the project is just excited to start doing what we absolutely love to do — start pumping food out and serving people and making drinks and hearing laughter,” said chef Rebekah Roberts.

The exact opening date has not yet been confirmed, as it will depend on a variety of inspections following the construction phase. But Roberts says they want to open the doors “as soon as possible.”

The building, built in 1911, was known as Central Fire Station No. 1. It stands on the site of its 1882-93 predecessor and was designated a municipal heritage site in 2000.

Celebrating the history of the building has been a main priority for designers, who have incorporated the original brick walls — although that proved to be no easy feat.

“Initially there was paint all over the bricks on the interior,” said Samson Engineering president Phil Dorn. “We tried many conventional products to get it off and we couldn’t get it off. It was a real conundrum and we almost gave up.”

Fortunately, the crew eventually found a product that successfully stripped the paint off the bricks.

“We were so happy about that,” Dorn said, adding it was important to feature the original brick look.

The restaurant will also feature a few of the historic items recovered from the fire hall, such as an old fire extinguisher case and a list of city-wide “call boxes.” The menu will also pay homage to the building’s past, featuring a few “smoked” items, such as brisket and ribs.

Roberts said there will be standard favourites such as steak and burgers, but there are also more unique creations.

“Canadiana is where we’ve geared ourself, using as much local product as we can from Manitoba and from the Prairies,” she said. “We’re going to have interesting food and beautiful food.”

Prairie Firehouse has been sending out a few menu teasers via social media, such as a pesto chicken and brie panini, as well as a goat cheese and beet ravioli.

A lot of thought and care also went into the cocktail list, which includes a cucumber mint julep.

“They’re geared toward the era of when the building was first built,” Roberts said.

The goal is to provide a “warm and inviting” atmosphere — a unique mix of historic and modern.

“Keeping the bay doors the way they are, that adds so much natural light and so much beauty to the place,” Roberts said.

Designers plan to transform the former hayloft into a private dining room area. The construction process is now in the “detail stage,” such as painting touch-ups, installing bathroom taps and light fixtures. The restaurant is fully staffed following a job fair this past summer.

Meanwhile, Samson Engineering continues to work on plans for the upper storeys of the building. The plan is for a residential third floor, and commercial space on the second.

“We’re working on getting those finalized and then moving forward with that,” Dorn said.

The goal is to acquire the fire hall’s original bell and install it back up in the tower.

“I’d like to hear it peal out over the city again,” Dorn said. He plans to appear before council to formally make the request.

The Coronation Bell that hung in the fire hall tower was named in honour of the coronation of King Edward. The bell was donated to the Brandon fire department in 1902 and placed in the tower of the first station by a team of dray horses. It was taken down and installed in the bell tower of the Central Fire Station in 1911.

The bell was removed in 1971 to reduce the stress on the tower, and had been in storage there ever since.

“I’m not looking to be a problem, but I really think it’s the right thing to do,” Dorn said. “This is really about our community.”

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