By Craig Anderson

SMYRNA — There will plenty more to see at the Citizens’ Hose Company No. 1 open house next month.

Through a $2.3 million construction project, 8,000 square feet have been added to the fire station, including a social hall that can host 200 visitors for events. The previous social hall area was repurposed for a training/meeting room, spokesman Chris Hudson said.

The open house is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the station at 103 W. Commerce St. It’s an opportunity for the public to view renovations, and the newly constructed hall and museum, CHC said.

According to CHC President Gerald Manley, “This has been a long overdue project and we had to think about our future and make sure our facility could handle any changes in our future and I believe we addressed that with the remodel and upgrade to our station.”

Said, CHC Chief Dean Johnson, “We hope that the upgrades to our day room will give our membership a place to hang out so they will be around to help respond to alarms.

“With the addition of our gym, we hope that our members will utilize the new space to stay in shape and take care of themselves. “

The open house in August will begin with a Grand Lodge of Delaware A.F.&A.M. Corner Stone Ceremony at 11 a.m. The CHC band will conduct a concert at 1 p.m.

Refreshments will be provided by the CHC Auxiliary.

For more details, call 653-9868, go online to citizenshosecompany.com or visit the CHC’s Facebook page.