Plans still in process for Boyceville ambulance station

By LeAnn R. Ralph

BOYCEVILLE — The plans still have not yet been completed for Boyceville’s new ambulance station in the former Chevy building on Race Street.

Architectural Design Group (ADG) is working on drawing up the plans, reported Matt Feeney, ambulance director, at the Boyceville ambulance district’s June 11 meeting.

The plans could be ready to be submitted for state approval by the end of June, he said.

“We are all in a holding pattern, and we’re getting frustrated. As soon as the plans are ready, we can move forward,” Feeney said.

Feeney said he is hoping to be able to advertise for bids by the middle of July and that the work can be completed by the end of September.

Construction on the new ambulance station originally was supposed to begin in April.

The Boyceville Village Board took the lead on applying for a $248,000 state trust fund loan in February for remodeling the ambulance station.

According to the report on the ambulance district’s finances, $246,303 is currently sitting in the “EMS remodel” fund.

Grant

Feeney reported that he was hopeful the Boyceville ambulance service would be awarded a $200,000 grant through the Bremer Foundation for the new ambulance station.

Feeney said he had met with a representative of the Bremer Foundation in May and that Boyceville has moved on to the next round for consideration.

The foundation will be making a decision on June 28, and the ambulance service should find out one way or the other within a week, Feeney said.

The Boyceville ambulance service could receive one of four answers: yes to the full $200,000; $100,000 each year for two years; the Bremer Foundation will determine what amount Boyceville should receive; or Boyceville could be eliminated from consideration, Feeney said.

If Boyceville does not receive any grant money this time around for the new station, the ambulance service can immediately reapply for money to purchase equipment, he noted.

The Boyceville ambulance district board meets next on July 10 immediately following the fire district meeting.