A Springettsbury Township fire station will now remain open until a new station is built.

"Luckily, we were able to get an extension to stay in the station," Robert McCoy, chief of York Area United Fire & Rescue told the department's commission members during a meeting Tuesday night.

Officials had previously said firefighters would have to vacate the 3013 E. Market St. Springettsbury Township Fire Station in April and had plans in place to ensure that services were not interrupted.

However, under an agreement of sale with the potential new owner, the station, owned by the township volunteers, will remain open until the new station at Commons Drive is built.

The buyers and the fire company's board of directors both OK'd keeping the station open for now, said Don Eckert, president of the township's volunteer fire company.

Concerns: Eckert said the fire company had to keep response times in mind, which could have been affected if the station closed early.

Last week, township supervisors voted to put the project up for bid.

The station is expected to cost about $4.2 milllion, down from the original $4.4 million estimated cost.

McCoy said savings will be realized through a number of ways, including having a brick façade on three sides of the building with the rear being made of another material. That will save the township $63,200.

Construction of the station is

expected to wrap up early next year.

New station: Once complete, the new station will also serve as the headquarters of York Area United, currently located at 3321 Whiteford Road.

The two-story station will boast the usual bunkrooms, lockerrooms, kitchen and day room found in most fire stations.

It will also feature four drive-through bays for apparatus, a fitness room and a multi-purpose room, according to the plans.

The upper floor is where the department's headquarters will be located, and offices for the volunteer association will be on the first floor, along with the living quarters and amenities for firefighters.

Ambulance service will also be housed in the new station.

Township manager John Holman welcomed keeping the station open for about a year.

"We're certainly pleased that the station will be open for a longer period of time," he said.

-- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.