After years of debate over a new police facility, Moncton City Council has awarded the tender for a new $57 million Codiac regional police building on Albert Street.
Quebec-based Pomerleau Inc. was the lowest of five bidders at almost $47 million which includes construction but not remaining costs such as furniture, security equipment and IT equipment.
Councillor Bryan Butler, a former police officer, says he fully supports a new building but feels it won’t be adequate for a growing police force.
“This (building) to me is too small because myself personally I think that the building should be right now holding at least 180 police officers not 140.”
Councillor Shawn Crossman says the cost is one of several issues he has with the building.
“Councillor Butler brings up a very good point… it’s $750 a square foot. I mean for a house currently in Moncton, it’s close to $400 a square foot to build – for a house.”
Councillor Daniel Bourgeois believes the city has put the cart before the horse given that a policing study is still underway.
“We don’t know how many police officers. We don’t know what police services we need. We don’t know if there would be a need for precincts… community precincts and everything else – I know I lost that battle.”
Last fall, council ordered a study looking into municipal policing which has not yet been completed.
Although the tender approved, Councillor Bourgeois voted against it along with Councillors Bryan Butler, Shawn Crossman and Paul Richard.
The current police building at 520 Main Street has been deemed outdated and has major deficiencies.
City staff say $1.4 million in repairs have been made to the building since 2014.
The new police building is being designed to last 25 years, house more than 370 staff and it could be expanded if needed.
