One of the toughest winters in Rhode Island history has failed to throw Ahlborg Construction Corporation off schedule in regards to the fire station under construction in Potowomut. In fact, the $2.57 million project is two months ahead of schedule.

Ahlborg Construction Corporation and Saccoccio Architecture have been working on Station 10 since the first week of November.

“It was very challenging,” says Vice President Glenn Ahlborg on Monday, “but we forged ahead this winter.” Ahlborg said the station is on schedule to be complete in early September.

A team of approximately 50 individuals from various trades has been working on the two-bay station. These people include bricklayers, roofers, laborers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, steel workers and operating engineers.

Ahlborg said the crew encountered few problems, all of which were dealt with quickly and carefully.

“At first it was only snow and clearing,” he said, “and then covering the equipment to prevent it from freezing.”

Ahlborg further said the success thus far is due to the cooperative efforts between Ahlborg crews, the Warwick Fire Department and Saccoccio Architecture.

Mayor Scott Avedisian, Fire Chief Edmund Armstrong and Assistant Chiefs Bruce Cooley and James McLaughlin joined Ahlborg Monday at 10 a.m. to visit the $2.57 million project.

Three years ago, Avedisian formed a committee in order to decide what was the best for the former Potowomut School. The committee, consisting of area residents, city employees, elected officials and municipal board members, ultimately concluded that the property should include a fire station to serve the Potowomut and Bay Ridge communities.

Avedisian said, “The new station will provide closer fire and rescue services to residents and will ultimately allow the city to end its service contract with the East Greenwich Fire District.”

The new station will include six sleeping rooms, community meeting space, equipment storage and a community police substation.

“Architectural elements from the former school building are being incorporated into the design,” said Avedisian.

Armstrong said three firefighters would man the station with one engine. He said he hadn’t decided what engine would be relocated to Potowomut.

He states that a boat will be incorporated into the new station, as well at Rocky Hill School.

“This has been needed for quite a few years,” he says, in regards to Station 10. “We’ve just been paying a fee to the East Greenwich station.”

Assistant Chief McLaughlin said that there is “more than enough room” for just one engine. He said, “It is always important to think ahead, because the community is never at bay. That’s why this station will have room for reserve trucks in times of need.”

The new station in Potowomut would also serve as a secondary Emergency Operations Center (EOC), with a primary one in Apponaug.

The overall process is going smoothly, with no change orders issued yet. Fire Chief Armstrong said, “We’re on budget. I expect a few changes, but nothing drastic.”

Ahlborg confirms that he is confident with how everything is going. The building is fully sprinkled, with a dry system in the attic.

“This is going to be a fortress,” he said.

The two-bay “fortress” is funded largely though a $2 million bond approved by voters in 2006.

The tough winter only proved to be a small obstacle for the construction of the Potowomut fire station.

“The team effort of the Ahlborg Construction Corporation, along with the Warwick Fire Department and Saccoccio Architecture, granted success in the cold months, and will continue to in the near future,” Ahlborg said.