Back in the fall of 2021, a new fire-department facility for Spur was just the spark of an idea in the minds of donors Eric and Linda Swenson, with hometown firefighters also involved in discussions.
Through a complicated process of property swaps, collaboration with the City of Spur and numerous agencies, and design and construction challenges, though, the spark has at last burst into reality.
On Monday night, in a private event, active and retired firefighters, along with their families, gathered at the old station—Spur’s long-outmoded original electrical generation plant at the foot of Burlington Avenue—to ring it out of service with their ceremonial bell. A procession up the street followed, with all the station’s trucks. “Old Betsy,” the beloved hundred-yearold truck that makes occasional ceremonial appearances, was last out the door as planned, with fire chief Wess Abbott shutting it behind her.
Taking her place at the head of the procession, she then led the vehicles to their glistening new home at Third and Burlington.
The event marks the end of an era for the city, but the beginning of a new one for Spur’s hardworking volunteers and the safety of an entire community, thanks to the Swensons’ vision and a lot of teamwork.
A public ceremonial grand opening is slated for Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m. at Spur’s next Homecoming Weekend, said Abbott. The meal and program for the Spur Exes are expected to be held inside the spacious fire hall, along with the evening’s other festivities.
