NORTH SALT LAKE— With the snip of the jaws of life on a worn fire hose, the South Davis Metro Fire Agency’s Station 82 was dedicated last week.

“It’s a great addition to our community,” North Salt Lake Mayor Shanna Schaefermeyer said.

The station at 701 E. Eaglewood Drive has been in service since Feb. 14, but officials waited to dedicate it until the landscaping was completed. The dedication was followed by an open house.

Schaefermeyer told those gathered for the dedication that the station “completes the system,” which included the major remodeling of the main Fire Station 81 at 255 S. 100 West, and the construction of station 85, in Foxboro, which was dedicated in 2007.

“I’m glad it’s finished,” Schaefermeyer said, explaining that when she became mayor two-and-a-half years ago, the agency was working on acquiring the property.

Ground was broken on the station, which serves the area’s east bench, on Sept. 26, 2007. SDMFA Chief Jim Rampton said they expected to be in the new facility in about a year, but various things delayed the process.

He said the delays were depressing for the agency’s personnel, so they decided to move in on Valentine’s Day, “to put a little love in the fire station.”

The crew which staffs the station used to be in the basement of the North Salt Lake City Hall. “There was no natural light, and for the first month (at the new station) the firefighters had to wear sunglasses,” Rampton joked.

Crews from the station responded to a fire east of the station last Thursday, and residents in the area said they would be at the open house on Friday.

City officials from the five cities making up the agency, as well as officials from Ascent Construction and the architectural firm, Pasker, Gould, Ames and Weaver, were also in on the hose cutting.

Later, architect Bill Gould thanked the agency and its board of directors “for trusting me enough to keep me working.” Gould designed the remodel on Station 81 and the new Station 85.

Stations 82 and 85 were meant to be similar, but rising construction costs on Station 82 meant some changes had to be made, Gould said.

The new station houses six firefighters and has a community room.

mwilliams@davisclipper.com