City looks at plans for local RCMP building

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Discussed earlier this week in the City’s committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Council will be figuring out what to do about the RCMP’s aging building.

“The existing RCMP facility is 35 years old, does not meet the current needs of a modern police detachment and will not meet the future needs of policing in Fort St. John,” an administrative report to council reads.

“An analysis/business case as to whether the existing facility should or can be renovated to meet current and future needs, or a new facility should be built is required prior to a referendum or alternative approval process being undertaken with the public.”

To remedy this, staff have developed a three phase project concept for the development or renovation of the RCMP facility.

For phase one, staff plans to hire a project management consultant and provide all past studies, plans and future plans and requirements for a modern policing facility.

Phase two will be the public engagement process and in the report for phase one. Council will be asked for direction on moving forward with a referendum, or an alternative approval process, if needed to.

Finally, phase three will be the detailed design and construction phase of the project and will be coordinated with a build committee consisting of City staff, the Project Manager, Cost Consultant. The RCMP and the GM of Community Services would also offer authority on it.

The 2016 Capital budget has funding for analysis, and function design identified, with construction funds identified for 2017 and 2018.