There was an amazing turnout for the grand opening of Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Hall One on Wednesday, June 12 as community members came from all over the Gunflint Trail. It was standing room only during the program which detailed all the work that was done to make the renovated fire hall and new community center possible. Of course the delicious barbecue was also enjoyed by all. Below: Celebrating at the event were the fire hall’s namesakes Paul and Carol Schaap. (L-R) Paul Schaap, Fire Hall Project Manager Michael Valentini, Carol Schaap and Sally Valentini.
The stars were aligned in perfect unison on Wednesday, June 12 as the Gunflint Trail community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department (GTVFD) Hall One expansion. This ambitious project covered expansions at all three fire halls in the GTVFD fire district.
Hall One at Poplar Lake (mid- Trail) was the site of the grand opening. A crowd of over 250 celebrants toured the new facilities and feasted on a specially prepared barbeque of ribs, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, side dishes and an endless supply of homemade pies and desserts. The weatherman sent blue skies and warm temps. Even the bugs took the evening off to make this celebration a day to remember.
Festivities began at 4 p.m. and by 5 p.m., the complex was brimming with visitors. Guests were encouraged to roam through all the buildings, get a first-hand look at the fire equipment and share stories and laughter with their neighbors from all ends of the Gunflint Trail. The banquet was prepared under the tutelage of local legend John Schloot and his skillful helpers, Vern Johnson, Ron Berg, Greg Gecas, Don Kufahl and Marcia Lang. Local residents provided desserts.
GTVFD Chief Mike Prom and project manager Michael Valentini explained the chronology of the project and thanked the many local contractors who were involved in building the halls. Then Valentini brought attention to the many donors who contributed to the fund. The highlight of the evening was the introduction of Clearwater Lake summer residents Paul and Carol Schaap. Their generous $250,000 gift was the kick-start of the fundraising campaign. That created the momentum as donations of all denominations came pouring in. The department has received to date over $430,000 in donations to help offset the overall cost of $810,000. “A remarkable number to be sure,” said Valentini.
Paul Schaap shared his desire to support the expansion project because of the obvious value it gave to the fire department but the bigger picture was the benefit of having a community center. He then announced his plans to set up a trust fund to address ongoing maintenance and future improvements.
Prom and Valentini explained that the inspiration for the expansion projects began during the Ham Lake fire. Many deficiencies and shortcomings were identified as the 1,000-plus firefighters descended on the community to contain the 74,000-acre inferno. After that fire event, it was determined that each hall needed to be improved. Space for training, ICPs (incident command post), bathrooms and storage were identified as the major needs. “So the journey began….” said Valentini.
Valentini continued, “Once the vision was put to blueprint, the task of selling it to the community was the next step.”
To get the project started, a presentation was made to each property association in the fire district. The training room/ ICP would also serve as a much needed community center, said Valentini. Funding options were explained and concerns were answered. This was the most important step in the success of the project. Community buy-in was crucial because community member donations and support were paramount to funding the project.
Hall One at mid-Trail has the new A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Community Center/ training room/ICP and a 40×48 cold storage building. The community center has bathrooms and a kitchen area. At Hall Two on South Gunflint Lake Road, an indoor bathroom and storage/ utility room was added. This coming August, Hall Three on Seagull Lake will see the construction of a community center (the same as Hall One) and a 2½-stall fire hall.
Halls One and Two projects have been completed. The site work at Hall Three is done and the building is expected to be completed by fall.
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