Coeur d’Alene is cranking up the throttle to build Fire Station #5, a boat garage near the Third Street docks.

Fire chief Ken Gabriel received the go-ahead Tuesday night to move forward with an additional funding boost toward the construction of the new boat garage after the lowest responsible bid — from Verdis Construction — came in more than $50,000 over the minimum estimates.

In the end, council approved up to $335,000, which would cover further unexpected hiccups commonly factored into construction costs.

“I’m hoping we don’t have to do a round four for the adventure we call Fire Station #5,” Gabriel said. “We set it up as a high-water mark with the hopes we have everything we need … $335,000 will cover all of that.”

With its council blessing, the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department is hoping to install its newest boat garage before the waters freeze over.

The Verdis contract comes with some creative caveats. To save money, some city staff members with certain skills — namely electrical skills — will install security systems and provide the electrical work, saving more than $80,000.

The fire boat is being housed in a Kootenai County garage on Lake Coeur d’Alene, a courtesy Gabriel said he does not want to take for granted.

“We’re so thrilled with the county,” he said. “They’ve been so good. They need that spot for their new police boat."

Gabriel said the new boat garage will take roughly four months to build.