Ground was broken Thursday for a new building for the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Team. From left are Cheryl Norton president of Slippery Rock University; Brent Thomas of W.K. Thomas & Associates; Brett Ligo, Ligo Architects: and Ron Steele and Al, Dave and Puddie Taggart, all of the fire department.

SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Team on Thursday broke ground on the first phase of its new facility, three years after it began fundraising for the project.

“It’s taken a lot of work and time,” said Ron Steele, the firefighter in charge of the project.

Phase one is expected to cost $1.2 million and will include a 5,300-square-foot building to house ambulances and an access road that will exit on New Castle Street.

The project was designed by Ligo Architects of Slippery Rock and is being constructed by W.K. Thomas & Associates of Butler. It will be on 5.5 acres next to the fire hall.

The company’s current facility is made up of a main building, built in 1978, and a bingo hall, built in 1939, on 2 acres on Elm Street. The company wants a new facility because the old buildings are cramped and out of date.

“We’ve come a long way since 1939,” Steele said.

Workers began moving dirt last week at the site. Steele said construction should be done by January or February.

During the past three years, the company has raised more than $200,000 for the project. Funding also comes from a loan from First National Bank.

Once the first phase is paid off, work will begin on the project’s next phases.

Phase 2 will include an 8,000-square-foot hall to house fire vehicles and the removal of the current building. Phase 3 will include a 4,375-square-foot meeting hall and extra parking.

At the groundbreaking were Steele; Fire Chief Dave Taggart; Assistant Chief Al Taggart; medical officer Puddie Taggart; Brett Ligo of Ligo Architects; Brent Thomas of W.K. Thomas & Associates; project manager Jeff Allen and Slippery Rock University President Cheryl Norton.

Dave Taggart said there were some hold ups in getting the project started. The process was slowed because the company had to work to avoid infringing on wetlands on the property.

“I’m glad we got started,” he said.

Norton said the new facilities are essential.

“It’s timely as the community continues to grow and prosper,” Norton said.

She said she is happy to be a part of a community that values safety. She noted that some SRU students become volunteer firefighters for the company while they are in school.