PEST celebrates its first anniversary

Despite a more than half-a-million dollar loan unresolved and additional phases to be complete, the regional emergency services training centre is still on the right track, says its new president.

The Thunder Bay and Regional Protective and Emergency Services Training Centre, also known as PEST, reached its one year anniversary on Saturday. Larry Price took on the job as president for PEST about two months ago and said everything is moving in the right direction.

"This last year was challenging," Price said. "We have the buildings up and running and we have Thunder Bay fire department trainers on board and working out of the facility."

PEST received a $572, 040 loan from the city for capital construction costs in June 2008. PEST had asked city council to forgive that loan in March 2010, but council deferred the matter until February of next year.

Price said they are preparing a presentation for council in February.

Price added that he wants to start on the second phase of construction, which includes a shooting range facility, sometime this fall.