Alpine to break ground on upgraded fire station and first-ever community center

ALPINE — Alpine officials will break ground Thursday on a project to upgrade its fire station and create the city's first-ever dedicated community center.

"This project represents a major investment in public safety community engagement and the future of the city," the city said in a statement. The groundbreaking will be Thursday at 8 a.m. outside City Hall, 20 N. Main.

The community center was made possible by a major donation from former Alpine Mayor Don Watkins and his wife Peggy. The couple's philanthropy reflect their long-standing commitment to strengthening the community they call home, city officials said.

"Don and Peggy Watkins have always believed in the power of community," said City Councilwoman Sarah Blackwell. "Their generous gift will create a place where residents of all ages can gather, learn, celebrate and connect."

The Don and Peggy Watkins Community Center aims to be a "welcoming and functional community space," providing a hub for civic and social activities. Residents will be served by the building through meetings, programs, events and educational classes, all within a "much-needed central gathering place."

"We haven't really had a space in our city for the community to gather, and I feel that that is a really important thing that we need in the city, so we are finally starting on it," Alpine Mayor Carla Merrill said.

She hopes the community center can become an additional safe space for individuals and families to enjoy.

The new fire station will feature modern emergency response capabilities, improved apparatus bays and updated living areas for the firefighters. This will be a major upgrade from the current fire station, originally built for a volunteer fire department. The fire station wasn't intended to have any sort of living quarters in it, but the city made do by converting some space into dorms.

Upgrading with the new facility will make the fire department more accessible to the public and provide more comfortable living spaces for the firefighters so they can better serve the community. The building is planned to have "room to grow" according to the city's future needs.

"It is long overdue. This is five, six years in the making that we have wanted to get this done, and it's finally happening, so we are super excited," Merrill said.

The new station will include a workout room with equipment donated by the David and Lynda Roskelly family.

"This contribution will allow Alpine's firefighters to maintain the high-level of physical fitness required to safely and effectively serve the community, ensuring they are prepared for the demanding work of emergency response," the city said in a statement.

Community partner Alta Bank contributed funding for the building's main community room. Combined with the fire station, this new facility aims to reflect the city's vision of creating infrastructure that supports public safety and community life, according to the city.

"This project represents the very best of Alpine," Merrill said. "It shows what is possible when dedicated public servants, generous community members and local businesses come together to invest in the future of our city."

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