Ontario Construction News staff writer
The province has launched construction of a $20 million, state-of-the-art Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Cambridge.
Bird Capital OMP Project Co Inc. was selected to lead the design and build of all 10 detachments under the OPP Modernization – Phase 2 project. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
Officials held a ground-breaking ceremony last week at the site of a new detachment that will replace the former OPP building destroyed by fire in September 2018. The new facility will provide frontline police officers with the leading-edge equipment and technology they need to better serve and protect their communities.
“Our government continues to ensure that frontline police have the support and resources they need to keep Ontario’s communities safe,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
The original detachment building was destroyed by fire in Sept. 2019.
“With this new state-of-the-art detachment, OPP officers will have access to the tools, equipment and technology they need to serve and protect the people of Cambridge and its surrounding areas.”
The new facility will be accessible and is designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Standard, which recognizes buildings with reduced environmental impacts.
This project will be delivered by Infrastructure Ontario through its public-private partnership (P3) model.
The 17,000 square foot facility is a modern infrastructure design that will support ever-changing technology requirements including facilities to secure evidence, three holding cells, closed-circuit television technology and other advanced security features.
“This announcement represents another step our government is taking to help build a safer community here in Waterloo Region,” said local MPP Mike Harris, “A new OPP detachment serving Cambridge is great news for our dedicated frontline officers, local residents, and the entire region.”
This infrastructure build has been added to the province’s OPP Modernization – Phase 2 project, announced in 2018 which replaced nine aging OPP facilities that were at the end of their lifespan and no longer met the requirements of today’s police operations.
All 10 detachments are constructed by a team led by Bird Capital OMP Project Co Inc.
The new detachments will be located in:
- Huron County Detachment, 325 Albert St., Clinton
- Mississauga, 2735 Argentia Rd., Mississauga
- Hawkesbury Detachment, 1425 Cameron St., Hawkesbury
- Manitoulin Island Detachment, 54 Boosneck Rd., Little Current
- Marathon Detachment, 101 Peninsula Rd., Marathon
- West Parry Sound Detachment, 1 North Rd., Parry Sound
- Rainy River District Detachment, 901 Colonization Rd. W., Fort Frances
- Moosonee Detachment, 16 Butcher Rd., Moosonee
- Orillia Detachment, 1 University Ave.