A $600,000 makeover has ensured all traces of the Millers Flat Fire Station's origins as a pipfruit coolstore are long gone.
The revamped building was opened on Saturday. More than 80 people attended the celebration.
New Zealand Fire Service Otago-Southland manager Dave Guard said those working on the project "pulled the rabbit out of the hat on this one''.
The building has been re-roofed, the exterior re-clad, aluminium window joinery replaced, a wooden floor in the appliance bay replaced with concrete, a decontamination area added, the ablution block and kitchen refurbished and a meeting room added.
The station had also been earthquake-strengthened.
"We've spent $600,000 but every dollar is well worth it and well spent. Volunteer fire brigades such as this are very important in our region, especially in small isolated communities,'' Mr Guard said at the opening.
Millers Flat Chief Fire Officer Brian Timpson was grateful to the Fire Service for its show of faith. He said there was also a lot of volunteer labour on the project, which kept the cost down.
"We thank the Fire Service for future-proofing the building. It's a great asset, not only for us but for the community.''
The brigade was established in 1967, and a rural fire crew base was added to the site in 2012.
Founding chief fire officer Rod Peirce held that role for about 19 years. He said the first fire station was near the camping ground and then the brigade moved to its current base.
Its station was once an Apple and Pear Board coolstore.
Mr Peirce said the brigade covered two districts, Millers Flat and Ettrick.
"The bond between the districts has always been strong.''
Teviot Valley Community Board chairman Ray Gunn said the district was lucky to have two brigades - Millers Flat and Roxburgh.
"This building and this service couldn't happen without the commitment and dedication of you volunteers. This is a big commitment and we thank you.''
New Zealand Fire Service Central/North Otago area manager Keith McIntosh said the Millers Flat set-up was an insight into what the restructuring of the Fire Service would look like.
The restructure was aimed as providing more support for volunteer brigades.
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said the building was unrecognisable from its original use as a coolstore.
It was good to see the rural fire authority base next to the fire station.
"This is the future and you people are at the forefront of it,'' she said.
Mrs Dean acknowledged the hours worked by the volunteer firefighters and also paid tribute to their employers.
