Greater Sudbury Police headquarters 'simply not adequate,' board says

The Greater Sudbury Police Services Board is recommending renovations to its downtown headquarters and emergency training centre in Azilda, Ont., at a cost estimated to be $18,831,443.

Updates are needed to address overcrowding, limited parking, falling ceiling tiles and even mould in some areas, according to board members.

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"The reality is there are some inefficiencies in a multi-level facility that was never designed for police purposes," Chief Paul Pedersen said about the service's downtown location.

"It ends up making us less able to deliver on the expectations that the community has of us."

Remodelingwould add about a third ofsquare footage to its existing facilities, including 23,000 square feet to its downtown building and 28,000 square feetto the Lionel E. Lalonde Centre in Azilda.

The work is expected to improve workflow, communication, sharing of information and increase meeting spaces.

Renos 'should take precedence'

"This is one of our core services," city councillor and board member Michael Vagnini said.

"When we're looking right now at building our large scale projects be it an art centre, a library or synergy centreI'm not saying they're good or bad projects. But I think this should take precedence over any of those large scale projects."

The retrofitting option is cheaper than moving into a new location, which is pegged between $46- and $53 million dollars.

"We believe that this option that we're contemplating is the most cost effective for the city that will also meet our needs," the board's chief administrative officer Sharon Baiden said.

Baiden would not speculate on what kind of effect the proposal could have on municipal taxes, but noted the project wouldbe financed by being phased in.

The bulk of the money for renovations would be borrowed and paid off over a period of 25 years.

If approved by city council, construction could start as early as next year.

"Make no mistakeabout it. Facilities are expensive," Pedersen said.

"This is an expensive discussion. One of the most significant investments."