The two-year battle to begin construction for a new fire hall in Fernie has finally been decided, as the City’s plans have been greenlit.
In January 2024, Fernie City Council selected the Prentice Park lands as the location for the new fire hall.
It resulted in mixed community reaction, with a local group of residents forming the Prentice Park Society.
The society launched a petition to stop the development in Prentice Park, arguing that the City received the land in public trust with a condition of only using the land for recreational purposes.
Prentice Park was transferred to the City by Crowsnest Industries Ltd. in 1972.
Sometime later, Shell Canada Ltd. became the successor in title to Crows Nest and the registered holder of the Reverter.
On Tuesday (June 8), in the BC Supreme Court, Justice Baker made a final decision on the case and sided with the City, dismissing the petition.
Justice Baker found the land was not given to the City in public trust and “the City received the lands absolutely”.
“The City is not required under the terms of the Reverter to maintain the lands as a park or recreational facility for all time. The Reverter permits Shell to retake the lands should the City no longer wish to maintain the lands as required under the terms of the Reverter,” said Justice Baker.
Justice Baker stated that “it would have to establish that the Reverter created a charitable purpose trust. On the plain language of the Reverter, this cannot be achieved.”
On Facebook, the Prentice Park Society said they were grateful for the support and will review the decision before deciding on the next steps.
“Prentice Park is more than open space. It is a place of recreation, community history, family memories, sports, gathering, and public use. We know many people in Fernie care deeply about its future,” the Facebook post from Prentice Park Society said on June 8.
In the Fernie City Council meeting on Tuesday (9 June), Chandos Construction LP was awarded a $14.33 million contract for the construction of the new fire hall at Prentice Park.
Council says it continues to move forward with the project, with construction expected to begin this summer.
To read the full decision from the BC Supreme Court, click here.
To learn more about the City of Fernie’s project plans for the fire hall, click here.
Facebook post from Prentice Park Society (Dated 8 June 2026)
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