Gone are the days of overflow lots for parking on bingo night for volunteer fire departments.

On Friday, Bradford Township VFD announced the decision has been made to sell the Interstate Parkway station, Station 15-1, which hasn’t housed a fire truck in years.

The decision is part of a strategic realignment of departmental resources and operational efficiency, department officials announced.

All essential firefighting equipment and operations have been consolidated into two primary stations, located in the West Branch Valley and the Custer City Valley. These fully equipped facilities continue to provide comprehensive fire protection and emergency response services to the community.

“While Station 15-1 has served the department and the community faithfully over the years, the changing landscape of volunteer fire service and financial sustainability has led us to this necessary step,” said Dan Burkhouse, fire chief.

A significant factor in the decision to sell the property has been a continued decline in revenue from traditional fundraising sources such as bingo, giveaways and community events, read a statement from department officials.

“With rising costs and fewer volunteers, consolidating our resources ensures that we can maintain high service standards while being fiscally responsible,” the statement read.

“The Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department remains committed to serving our community with professionalism, dedication and integrity. We thank the residents for their continued support as we take this step toward a more sustainable future.”

The property is now officially listed for sale.

Interested parties may contact the department by emailing at BradfordTwpVFD15@gmail.com or calling (814) 362-3280 for more information or to arrange a viewing.

The statement from the department was posted on its Facebook page, where many residents responded with memories of attending bingo games with relatives or events through the years.