The next 50 years is offi cially under construction.

More than 100 people on Monday attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Kingfisher Fire Department station.

Fire Chief Ryan Gibson, City Manager Jim Thomas, Mayor Geoff Covalt, city commissioners and construction officials turned the dirt on the property that will serve as the new location at 1501 S. Main St.

“Thank you to the citizens who have supported this vision, thank you to Mayor Covalt and the commissioners who have supported this project as well as the ultimate decision to build a fire station that will stand 50 more years,” said Thomas when addressing the crowd.

Kingfisher voters have twice passed sales tax propositions to fund the construction of the new facility, which will replace the current station that was built in 1976.

The first FIRE (Fire, Infrastructure, Recreation, Emergency services) tax was approved in May 2021.

The half-cent measure was projected to bring in about $8 million over 10 years when the facility was projected to cost about $5 million.

But construction costs soared and city officials determined the sales tax would not properly fund the kind of facility that was needed.

In January of this year, they asked voters to extend the sales tax another 10 years beyond the original vote, pushing it to 2041.

Citizens voted 353-82 (81.2 percent) to pass that measure. Both the turnout and the favorable votes exceeded the original election.

The initial vote happened before Thomas was hired as city manager. The fire station has been at the forefront of his entire twoplus years on the job.

“What a journey we have been on together for the last two-plus years as we have endured to get a fire station groundbreaking,” he said.

Thomas noted there have been two mayors, three new city commissioners, two fire chiefs, two architects and one congressman involved during that time. “But we met the challenge of the day,” he said. At a special meeting on Sept. 29, city commissioners voted 4-0 to accept a bid of $8,942,000 by A&K Construction to build the fire station. The construction phase is projected to take 14 months. “This ceremony isn’t just about starting the building of the station; it’s about years of careful planning, partnership and, most importantly, the incredible support of this community,” said Gibson. “To the citizens of Kingfisher, thank you. By passing the tax measure to fund this station, you’ve made an investment in something far greater than a building. You’ve invested in the safety of your neighbors, your families and the firefighters who serve you.

“That trust means a lot to all of us and we take it very seriously.”

Kingfisher’s Mike Sanders, the executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, served as the emcee at the ceremony.

The Pride of Kingfisher played the National Anthem, which was followed by a prayer by Father Benjamin Lwin.

Sanders introduced special guests in the crowd before comments were offered by Gibson, Thomas and Covalt.

Among those on hand were commissioners Dawn Taylor, Kyle Mecklenburg, Tammy Sammons and Vice Mayor Jeff Wittrock, all of whom helped break the ground.

Joining current and past city commissioners, city employees and firemen were the former fire chief, Tony Stewart, as well as State Rep. Mike Dobrinski.

“Thank you all again for being here today and for your continued support,” Gibson said. “This is a quiet start, but an important one - a step forward with a strong foundation.

“Together, we’re building more than just a station; we’re building the future of safety and service in Kingfisher.”