Ottawa Police break ground on new South Facility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 9, 2023 3:28 p.m.
(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Services Board and the Ottawa Police Service were excited to break ground on the new South Facility today at 3505 Prince of Wales Drive.
“The 218,000 square foot, three-storey facility will bring police services and public safety closer to the growing communities in the south end of Ottawa,” stated Chief Eric Stubbs. “It will provide an inclusive, equitable, and safe space to serve all City residents and operations in the urban and rural areas of the city.”
The facility will contribute to enhancing community safety and house a Community Police Centre, provide Front Desk and Collision Reporting services, as well as a Community Boardroom.
“The population of Barrhaven and Riverside South combined are approaching that of Kingston’s—the South Facility recognises that and fulfills a promise to the residents of Barrhaven since the early-2010s for a local police station,” said City of Ottawa Councillor Wilson Lo. “Barrhaven East is grateful for the OPS’s commitment to improving police presence, public safety, and other police services in the community. Thanks to Chief Stubbs and the Ottawa Police Services Board for ensuring the project proceeds.”
The introduction of the new South Facility will address some of the current space pressures the Service is experiencing and assist in replacing ageing buildings. As a foundational project in the Facilities Strategic Plan, the facility is critical in supporting the necessary and evolving police operations, while also modernizing the physical work environment.
Construction of the building is aligned with meeting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification and will include electrical vehicle charging stations both in the visitors and staff parking areas. The finished structure will also introduce interior and exterior art installations commissioned through the City Public Art process.
Construction of the South Facility is estimated to be $115M and will be completed in 2026.
The remaining eight acres of the 15-acre site are anticipated to be developed over the next few years.
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