Transitioning to a 7-Station Model Network

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Muskoka Lakes is growing, and with that growth comes the responsibility to make sure essential services continue to meet the needs of everyone who lives, works, and visits the Township. Many of our fire stations have served the community for decades but with aging infrastructure and changing demands, it became clear that a new long-term plan was needed.

In 2024, the Township of Muskoka Lakes launched the Fire Station Location Study, a careful review of the existing 10-Station Model Network, shaped by expert analysis and meaningful community input. After nearly two years of study and engagement, Council approved the consultant and staff recommended transition to a 7-Station Model Network on October 15, 2025.

This updated approach reflects a commitment to safety, sustainability, and service. It’s a plan to modernize fire stations, reduce overlap, and ensure that all areas of Muskoka Lakes continue to receive reliable, high-quality fire protection for years to come.

The 7-Station Model Network Explained

Why change the current system?

For decades, Muskoka Lakes has operated a 10-Station Model Network that has served the community well. However:

  • Eight stations are nearing the end of their typical 40-year service life;
  • Most require upgrades to meet current health and safety standards;
  • Several stations overlap in coverage, reducing operational efficiency;
  • Storage limitations have led to the use of temporary shelters and customized vehicles;
  • Minimum staffing levels have become harder to meet due to the influx of volunteer firefighters.

The consultant and staff recommended 7-Station Model Network, as outlined in the Fire Station Location Study, addresses these issues while preserving emergency response standards. This recommendation ensures that funds are invested strategically while also modernizing infrastructure, meeting regulatory compliance, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The 7-Station Model was developed to address these challenges without compromising community safety.

Under the new network

  • Close three existing stations: Glen Orchard, Torrance, and Raymond.
  • Modernize Windermere and Walker’s Point stations to extend service life and improve safety.
  • Rebuild four stations at Minett, Foot’s Bay, Milford Bay, and Bala.

Over the next 15 years, this strategic layout will help reduce redundant coverage, focuses capital investment, and enhances the overall effectiveness of the fire protection network while maintaining established service levels.

Timeline

Please note: The above implementation plan is an approximate timeline and subject to changes.

View as PDF

Response map and coverage

The map below illustrates how the new 7-Station Model Network will be able to distribute resources and response times across the Township of Muskoka Lakes, based on calls from 2019-2023.

This model provides strong community coverage in alignment with the NFPA 14-minute response standard (See Appendix A, pg. 50), while also supporting more consistent staffing levels by concentrating volunteer firefighters across fewer stations. This approach strengthens response capacity without reducing coverage. The model also includes areas of overlapping coverage, allowing neighbouring stations to support one another when additional apparatus or crews are required.

View as PDF

Aligning Community Growth and Risk

The 7-Station Model Network reflects current and anticipated growth across the Township, including seasonal population increases, changing land use, and evolving risk factors such as wildfire potential and extreme weather events. Station locations were evaluated to ensure the network remains effective as community needs change over time.

Muskoka Lakes is growing, and with that growth comes the responsibility to make sure essential services continue to meet the needs of everyone who lives, works, and visits the Township. Many of our fire stations have served the community for decades but with aging infrastructure and changing demands, it became clear that a new long-term plan was needed.

In 2024, the Township of Muskoka Lakes launched the Fire Station Location Study, a careful review of the existing 10-Station Model Network, shaped by expert analysis and meaningful community input. After nearly two years of study and engagement, Council approved the consultant and staff recommended transition to a 7-Station Model Network on October 15, 2025.

This updated approach reflects a commitment to safety, sustainability, and service. It’s a plan to modernize fire stations, reduce overlap, and ensure that all areas of Muskoka Lakes continue to receive reliable, high-quality fire protection for years to come.

The 7-Station Model Network Explained

Why change the current system?

For decades, Muskoka Lakes has operated a 10-Station Model Network that has served the community well. However:

  • Eight stations are nearing the end of their typical 40-year service life;
  • Most require upgrades to meet current health and safety standards;
  • Several stations overlap in coverage, reducing operational efficiency;
  • Storage limitations have led to the use of temporary shelters and customized vehicles;
  • Minimum staffing levels have become harder to meet due to the influx of volunteer firefighters.

The consultant and staff recommended 7-Station Model Network, as outlined in the Fire Station Location Study, addresses these issues while preserving emergency response standards. This recommendation ensures that funds are invested strategically while also modernizing infrastructure, meeting regulatory compliance, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

The 7-Station Model was developed to address these challenges without compromising community safety.

Under the new network

  • Close three existing stations: Glen Orchard, Torrance, and Raymond.
  • Modernize Windermere and Walker’s Point stations to extend service life and improve safety.
  • Rebuild four stations at Minett, Foot’s Bay, Milford Bay, and Bala.

Over the next 15 years, this strategic layout will help reduce redundant coverage, focuses capital investment, and enhances the overall effectiveness of the fire protection network while maintaining established service levels.

Timeline

Please note: The above implementation plan is an approximate timeline and subject to changes.

View as PDF

Response map and coverage

The map below illustrates how the new 7-Station Model Network will be able to distribute resources and response times across the Township of Muskoka Lakes, based on calls from 2019-2023.

This model provides strong community coverage in alignment with the NFPA 14-minute response standard (See Appendix A, pg. 50), while also supporting more consistent staffing levels by concentrating volunteer firefighters across fewer stations. This approach strengthens response capacity without reducing coverage. The model also includes areas of overlapping coverage, allowing neighbouring stations to support one another when additional apparatus or crews are required.

View as PDF

Aligning Community Growth and Risk

The 7-Station Model Network reflects current and anticipated growth across the Township, including seasonal population increases, changing land use, and evolving risk factors such as wildfire potential and extreme weather events. Station locations were evaluated to ensure the network remains effective as community needs change over time.

  • October 7, 2026 | Preliminary Fire Station Design (Minett) Presented to Committee

    Share October 7, 2026 | Preliminary Fire Station Design (Minett) Presented to Committee on Facebook Share October 7, 2026 | Preliminary Fire Station Design (Minett) Presented to Committee on X (formerly Twitter) Share October 7, 2026 | Preliminary Fire Station Design (Minett) Presented to Committee on Linkedin Email October 7, 2026 | Preliminary Fire Station Design (Minett) Presented to Committee link

    At the October 7, 2026, General/Finance Committee meeting, Township staff presented an update on the development of a standardized fire station design for Minnett Fire Station 5, marking an important step toward implementing the Township's 7-Station Model Network.

    In October 2025, Council approved the transition to a 7-station network following the completion of the Fire Station Location Study. The model provides a long-term approach to modernizing the Township's fire station facilities while supporting efficient and effective fire protection services across Muskoka Lakes.

    Preliminary Fire Station Design in Minett

    As part of the initial planning work, the Township retained EXP Architects to develop a conceptual fire station design, beginning with the proposed replacement of Fire Station 5 in Minett.

    The preliminary design outlines a 5,131-square-foot facility that would include three fire truck bays, administrative and operational spaces, staff amenities, equipment storage and dedicated areas for firefighter decontamination.

    The conceptual design is intended to provide a consistent approach to future fire station development, while allowing for adjustments based on the needs and location of each facility.

    The 2026 Capital Budget allocated $211,300 toward the design of a replacement facility for the existing Fire Station 5, located at 1131 Juddhaven Road in Minett.

    At this stage, the work is focused on developing preliminary plans and gaining a better understanding of potential construction costs before any significant construction commitments are made. A location for the new station has not yet been determined.

    What's Next?

    Township staff will continue developing the preliminary design and preparing a more detailed Class D construction cost estimate. This work will provide Council with a clearer understanding of the proposed facility and anticipated project costs. Staff will also prepare a funding strategy to identify potential funding sources and determine the financial requirements for implementation.

    While Minett has been identified as the first station for implementation, a suitable property has not yet been secured. Depending on property availability and other project considerations, the Township may need to review the order in which future station projects proceed, including Milford Bay and Foot's Bay.

    The design, updated cost estimates and funding strategy will be brought forward to Council for review and consideration at a future meeting.

    The October 7 report was provided for information only. No construction has been authorized, and further Council consideration and approval will be required as the project progresses.

    Project Timeline

    Supporting Documents

    At the October 7, 2026, General/Finance Committee meeting, Township staff presented an update on the development of a standardized fire station design for Minnett Fire Station 5, marking an important step toward implementing the Township's 7-Station Model Network.

    In October 2025, Council approved the transition to a 7-station network following the completion of the Fire Station Location Study. The model provides a long-term approach to modernizing the Township's fire station facilities while supporting efficient and effective fire protection services across Muskoka Lakes.

    Preliminary Fire Station Design in Minett

    As part of the initial planning work, the Township retained EXP Architects to develop a conceptual fire station design, beginning with the proposed replacement of Fire Station 5 in Minett.

    The preliminary design outlines a 5,131-square-foot facility that would include three fire truck bays, administrative and operational spaces, staff amenities, equipment storage and dedicated areas for firefighter decontamination.

    The conceptual design is intended to provide a consistent approach to future fire station development, while allowing for adjustments based on the needs and location of each facility.

    The 2026 Capital Budget allocated $211,300 toward the design of a replacement facility for the existing Fire Station 5, located at 1131 Juddhaven Road in Minett.

    At this stage, the work is focused on developing preliminary plans and gaining a better understanding of potential construction costs before any significant construction commitments are made. A location for the new station has not yet been determined.

    What's Next?

    Township staff will continue developing the preliminary design and preparing a more detailed Class D construction cost estimate. This work will provide Council with a clearer understanding of the proposed facility and anticipated project costs. Staff will also prepare a funding strategy to identify potential funding sources and determine the financial requirements for implementation.

    While Minett has been identified as the first station for implementation, a suitable property has not yet been secured. Depending on property availability and other project considerations, the Township may need to review the order in which future station projects proceed, including Milford Bay and Foot's Bay.

    The design, updated cost estimates and funding strategy will be brought forward to Council for review and consideration at a future meeting.

    The October 7 report was provided for information only. No construction has been authorized, and further Council consideration and approval will be required as the project progresses.

    Project Timeline

    Supporting Documents

Page last updated: 16 Oct 2026, 12:53 PM