Coram-West Glacier fire hall meeting set

The Coram-West Glacier Volunteer Fire Department will host a scoping meeting Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m. at the West Glacier Fire Hall to seek public input for a new station to be built on a large lot on U.S. Highway 2 at Seville Lane in Coram, next to the Glacier Grill.

The fire district is a large one, from north of Martin City to West Glacier, covering an area three miles wide by seven miles long, or 21 square miles. Currently the district has one adequate fire hall with a community room and full electric, water and sewer service at the far north end of the district in West Glacier.

The current Coram station at the south end of the district, built some 40 years ago, is too small to house more than two fire engines at a time. It is essentially a large garage with electric service, but no water or sewage available, and no office or community space, on a small lot with no room for expansion.

Current plans being considered for the new Coram station call for four engine bays in a drive through configuration, with additional space allotted for possible relocation of the Coram post office, along with a Canyon office for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department.

The meeting provides the public an opportunity to hear current plans, and offer any ideas or input for the new station before final plans are drawn up and approved. Pending adequate funding, construction is anticipated sometime next spring or beyond.

The open meeting will be held at the West Glacier Fire Hall, located at 100 REA Road in West Glacier. From the south, turn left off Highway 2 into West Glacier, to first left, River Bend Drive, just past the West Glacier Restaurant, to second left, REA Road, to the end next to the Flathead Electric building.