91原创 Township is applying for $1 million in provincial funds for two planned mass timber buildings, including a firehall that could start construction as early as this fall.

At the Township council meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, council unanimously approved sending requests to Victoria for funding through the Mass Timber Demonstration Program. If successful, the Township could receive up to $500,000 for each of two projects.

Mass timber is to be used in the new Brookswood firehall, to be built in the 2900 block of 200 Street, and in the future sportsplex at Smith Athletic Park in Willoughby, off 208 Street.

The Brookswood firehall could see construction start this fall.

Mass timber construction uses large engineered wooden beams in place of traditional steel or concrete. The beams are made of many layers of engineered wood, joined together with glue or dowels to be as structurally strong as other building materials, as well as being fire resistant.

The provincial government has been encouraging mass timber as both an alternative to more carbon-intensive forms of construction like the use of concrete, and to stimulate a new forestry-linked industry. Changes in regulations now allow for mass timber structures in B.C. as tall as 18 storeys.

The sportsplex field would cover a synthetic turf field at Smith Athletic Park. The first phase of the park is currently under construction.

"This incorporation of mass timber is unique and innovative compared to other covered sports fields in British Columbia," according to the staff report to council by Karl Neufeld-Peters of the engineering division.