BOWEN ISLAND: Bowen Island Municipality has finalized the sale of the community’s former fire hall to BC Hydro, securing a permanent operations hub that will strengthen emergency response, improve reliability, and deliver long-term benefits for residents and businesses.
The property at 784 Grafton Road will serve as BC Hydro’s dedicated on-island base, enabling crews to respond to outages faster, perform regular maintenance, and support the island’s growing energy needs. BC Hydro has operated from this location for the past three years, already demonstrating the value of a local base with quicker response times and improved reliability during storms and other service interruptions.
“We appreciate BC Hydro’s investment and long-term commitment to Bowen Island,” said Andrew Leonard, Mayor of Bowen Island. “Establishing a permanent on-island base strengthens power reliability and emergency response, while ensuring the full market value of the site continues to support the legacy of Bowen Island’s volunteer firefighters.”
The site has a rich history. Originally donated to the Fire Protection District in 1969, it served Bowen Island Fire Rescue for more than 50 years. BC Hydro purchased the property for $900,000, following a professional appraisal of fair market value. Net proceeds will be reinvested in the Fire Protection Reserve Fund, supporting the fire department operations, equipment purchases and future infrastructure needs – ensuring this site’s legacy continues to serve public safety on Bowen Island for generations to come.
“By securing this location, BC Hydro is making a long-term commitment to Bowen Island,” said Charlotte Mitha, President and CEO of BC Hydro. “Our crews will be able to respond to outages more quickly and provide reliable service that supports the community’s future growth.”
BC Hydro will continue to use the existing building for its operations on Bowen Island, ensuring a strong local presence and delivering safe, reliable and clean electricity to the community.
Contacts:
Sarah Baxter, Bowen Island Municipality
Phone: 604-947-4255 ext. 223
Email: sbaxter@bimbc.ca
BC Hydro
Phone: 604-928-6468
Email: media@bchydro.com