FOLEY, Ala. — Construction work has officially begun on the Foley Fire Department’s Station Three.

That work started last week in advance of Wednesday’s groundbreaking ceremony at the site, which is situated in the Glen Lakes subdivision at the intersection of County Road 20 and Fairway Drive.

Attending the ceremony were Foley city leaders and staff and members of the Foley Fire and Police departments, project designers, community members and land donors David and Sue Vosloh, catalysts of the project.

David Vosloh explained that a family tragedy motivated him to seek the addition.

“Four years ago my brother had a heart attack,” he said.

Vosloh explained that he believed the time it took for emergency crew to make it to the southwest Foley community played a part in his brother’s death.

“He was dead before they got him to the hospital,” he said.

According to Foley Fire Chief Joey Darby, average response time from the downtown fire station to southwest Foley is approximately 14 minutes. But this new station should help with that issue.

“This should cut that time in half,” he said.

Darby explained that Vosloh approached him about the endeavor in May 2012.

“David called me out of the blue one day,” he said.

Vosloh asked Darby whether a fire station could be established in Glen Lakes if property was donated. Darby subsequently took that proposal to the City Council. City leaders then met with members of the Glen Lakes community about the idea in late May.

“They overwhelmingly supported the idea,” Darby said.

Then plans to pursue the project continued, with the City Council approving the donation of 1/3 acre from the Voslohs in December 2012. The following April, the city selected David Adams Design to design the facility. Following rebids due to the change in economic conditions, the city selected G.M. Stewart to construct the fire house in October.

The new facility is expected to improve service to communities near Graham Creek Nature Preserve, as well.

“I’m delighted,” said Bay Point community resident Fran Clement. “I think it’s a benefit to the whole area.”

Foley Mayor John Koniar echoed that sentiment, pointing out a financial benefit of the facility.

“It will help with insurance rates for people in this area and throughout the city,” he said.

Foley Council President Wayne Trawick said the new station is part of the city’s growth efforts.

“The fire station is another piece of the puzzle,” he said.

But Trawick said that while the construction of the facility is funded with grants, the city’s next issue would be funding its ongoing operation.

“It’s an undertaking,” he said.

Upon completion of the $868,000 endeavor, the facility will house residential quarters, offices and emergency vehicles for a staff of three firefighters that would be on duty at all times, or a total of nine.

Foley Police Chief Joey Darby added that a portion of the office space would be dedicated to the Foley Police Department, thus increasing police presence in the southwest Foley area.

Project designer David Watt anticipates completing the fire station by next May.

“I would love to be operating out of here in eight to nine months,” Darby added.