Fire training facility OK’d

Clovis Fire Chief Ray Westerman is getting his wish for a fire training facility he estimated to cost $1.4 million.

Clovis city commission awarded contracts for $192,351 at Thursday’s meeting to lay the groundwork for the facility on city-owned property north of Station No. 5 on Brady Avenue near Prince Street. Funds are from a state fire fund grant, according to Westerman.

The fire chief said the facility will feature a multistory training tower that will enable firefighters to do search and rescue drills. He said the project will be done in phases and could take eight to 10 years to complete.

The facility would also be available to other agencies in the area.

K. Barnett & Sons of Clovis was awarded a contract for $113,841 for grading and paving. LCI2, Clovis, was awarded a contract for $78,510 for fencing and construction of water lines.

Commissioners also awarded a $22,749 contract for sandblasting and painting the Clovis Aquatics Center indoor pool at Play Inc. to Marin Painting and Sandblasting, Clovis.

Parks and Recreation Director Rob Carter updated commissioners on the work at the aquatics center, which includes installation of a new heater and lockers.

The pool was closed in December by the New Mexico Environment Department for failure to meet state standards, including operating without a shower.

Carter said he expects the pool to reopen the second week of April.

The Clovis Fire Department also received authorization to restructure to provide aircraft rescue firefighters for scheduled flights at the city airport to meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements.