GARWOOD — Work on Northern Lakes Fire District Station 3 has come to a standstill.

The 7,000-square-foot facility on the west side of Pope Road has sat vacant since its construction in late 2023 due to ongoing litigation between Northern Lakes Fire District and the Alberta-based manufacturing company, EXTREME Modular Buildings. The project was originally set to be completed at the end of 2023.

"Once we, Northern Lakes Fire District, noticed discrepancies with the building, we requested our legal assist us to resolve this issue as per the agreed contract with the company," said Northern Lakes Fire Chief Pat Riley.

While the bulk of the facility is already built, the remainder of the work is halted while the litigation is ongoing.

Both entities declined to provide specific details when contacted by The Press.

“I cannot offer any more than we, the fire district, are diligently working to find a quick resolution to the issues we are working through on that fire station,” Riley said.

The $3.65 million facility, financed by First Interstate Bank, is being paid off through impact fees.

The facility is equipped with two fire engine bays, a storage space for gear and equipment, as well as five bedrooms and an expansive community space.

When completed, the station will provide emergency coverage for Garwood, Hayden, Rathdrum and the Twin Lakes area.

Northern Lakes Fire District has a jurisdiction of 108 square miles and has long sought to increase coverage capacity in its northern reaches.

In the meantime, a temporary station was opened at the Coeur d’Alene airport in 2023 to continue attaining national standard response times within its jurisdiction as the Garwood station project was underway.

Until the litigation is resolved, however, the Garwood station will remain vacant.