High winds and unbraced trusses suspected cause, affecting major infrastructure build
Construction of the new Dorchester Fire Hall is on pause after the roof trusses collapsed on November 27. The incident happened at the Cape Road site during high winds, and no workers were injured. WorkSafeNB, the architect, and Rice Contracting are now investigating the cause.
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The collapse affects one of Tantramar’s largest recent infrastructure projects. The new fire hall is a $5.6 million dollar build, approved last year to replace the community’s 1960s station. The facility is designed to house larger fire trucks, expand fire service capacity, and include a small municipal office. Fire officials previously called the project a huge positive boost for Dorchester.
Michael Beal, Director of Financial Services for the Municipality of Tantramar, said a combination of factors may have contributed to last week’s collapse.
“There is a question, whether it was wind related… the fencing… got tipped over by the wind… the trusses weren’t fully braced yet because they were still being installed.”
When asked if this would impact taxpayers, Beal said, “the site is 100 percent the responsibility of Rice Contracting and Rice Contracting will be 100 percent on the hook… for all costs relating to… that issue.”
According to Beal, new trusses have already been ordered, and the municipality expects only a short delay.
“At this point, we only envision a two-week delay and no additional cost to the municipality,” he said.
Council had recently approved switching to a metal roof
The collapse happened a month and half after council approved moving from asphalt shingles to a standing seam metal roof maybe possible by a provincial capital renewal funding grant. The decision was made during the October 15 council meeting after staff highlighted Dorchester’s strong wind conditions.
Beal had told council that asphalt shingles would be vulnerable at the site.
“We did foresee that the asphalt single shingle roof would be subject to probably replacement in a short window, due to the high winds that are over there… so we think that would be a good, good investment.”
Councillor Debbie Wiggins Caldwell supported the switch, noting her experience living in the area.
“I know the prevailing winds coming up off that marsh… I’ve seen sheets of asphalt being blown off,” she said. “So a great idea to put our metal roof on our fire station. It’ll be the sustainability of a great fire department.”
Council approved the metal roof at a cost of approximately $240,000. Beal told council that the asphalt shingle roof was originally chosen as a compromise to keep the project within budget.
“It was thought of, but we have to make compromises. The asphalt shingle was initially a compromise,” he said.
Next steps
Architects and engineers are inspecting the steel structure to confirm the rest of the building remains safe. Beal said the municipality does not expect any financial impact from the collapse, as the contractor remains fully responsible for the site until completion.
The new Dorchester Fire Hall remains scheduled to open in summer 2026.
Check back Friday for an interview with Michael Beal on Tantramar’s 2026 budget.
