Donations Needed For Bradley Gardens Fire House Repairs

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company’s station is in dire need of repair and donations are being sought to help offset the cost.

The fire station dates back to the early 1800's and the addition of the events hall was added about 40 years ago. Since then there have been no major upgrades to the building.

When firefighters began to renovate the hall in early February they encountered a much larger issue.

"We had intended to just replace the carpet and leave the dance floor, but over time it has became rocky and we found we had carpenter ant damage," Bradley Gardens Deputy Fire Chief Pete Chetwynd said. "Most of the boards in the sub-floor were also rotted away."

Since the entire floor is un-level the department is putting down self-leveling concrete which will cost $14,000 to cover the roughly 4,000 square feet.

Additionally, the department will be putting down new floor boards, new carpet and new cabinets in the bar and kitchen area.

Recently, the fire company spent a good chunk of money to put in LED lighting and replace two HVAC units.

Chetwynd noted that the building itself is very old and outdated and needs a lot of work.

"Unfortunately we don't have the money to put a new building there," Chetwynd said. "Ideally that would be the best thing."

Right now the fire company is concentrating on updating the hall for the time being and plans to have it open for their upcoming fundraiser Corned Beef Dinner on March 14. For information on the dinner click here.

"It's a pretty penny to keep the building maintained," Chetwynd said. "We try to fix things as it breaks, we are doing the best we can."

Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company is entirely volunteer run. To make a donation mail money to 24 Old York Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 with checks made out to Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company or BGVFC.

For questions on how to help or interested in volunteering message the fire company’s Facebook page at facebook.com/bgvfc21 or call 908-725-1250.

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