After more than 13 years of planning and fundraising, the town of Hospers is moving forward with a new emergency services facility.
Community members gathered this week for a groundbreaking ceremony on a new EMS and fire building designed to replace the department’s current space, which officials say no longer meets today’s needs.
Hospers Fire Chief Jason Overmohle says the department has outgrown its current facility.
Overmohle says the building was originally a converted community structure, creating challenges for modern emergency response. Limited space affects how equipment is stored, how quickly crews can prepare for calls, and even what types of trucks the department can purchase.
He says the new facility will provide much-needed room to operate, including expanded storage, dedicated training space, and improved functionality designed specifically for fire and EMS use.
The project carries an estimated cost of $3.3 million. According to fundraising committee chair Mandy Boersma, about $2.3 million has already been committed through community donations, business support, and prior funding.
Organizers say the fundraising effort has been driven largely by local support, including a major $500,000 donation from Den Hartog Industries and the Den Hartog family that helped move the project forward.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, as part of a prayer, Boersma emphasized the impact the facility will have not just on first responders but on the entire community.
The new building will include space for equipment storage, indoor training, and improved turnaround following emergency calls — all aimed at helping volunteers respond more efficiently and safely. It will also support mutual aid efforts with surrounding communities, including Granville, Boyden, Sheldon, and others across Sioux County.
Construction is now underway, with the facility expected to be ready for use by April of 2027.
