Aurelia’s new fire station is rising quickly—and ahead of schedule. Crews have installed doors, siding, and a fresh coat of red paint, marking visible progress on the $1.14 million project that broke ground last summer.
The station replaces a decades‑old building that had become dangerously cramped. Firefighter Dustin Wieland says the turning point came when trucks simply couldn’t fit inside.
The new facility—located across the street from the current station on Myrtle Street—nearly doubles the square footage, giving firefighters safer space to gear up and respond.
For Wieland, seeing walls and doors rise after years of fundraising is more than construction progress.
That support has come from omelet feeds, grain donations, and gifts that will be recognized on an honor board inside the new fire station. Wieland says it reflects Aurelia’s commitment to its volunteers.
The department counts about two dozen members, including cadets as young as 16 who train alongside firefighters. Wieland believes the new station will help attract and retain volunteers, while providing modern training space.
The old station won’t sit empty—Aurelia Municipal Electric plans to move in, giving city crews more room and securing parking for firefighters at the new site.
Move‑in is expected this spring, with volunteers themselves pitching in on finishing work. Donations are still being accepted through Aurelia City Hall.
