The city has approved an increase in funding for its capital project to renovate the RCMP detachment Maloney Place as well as the first floor Beaudry Place, by an additional 1.7 million through the borrowing bylaw, up from $5 million that was originally approved as part of the 2022 budget process.
The now $6.7 million project to renovate the police buildings was approved in 2022. The plan was to bridge the gap to accommodate policing needs through to 2034, until the city can realize the larger project of building a new RCMP detachment worth approximately $30 million.
In a document provided to council prior to the April 15 meeting, the scope of the project highlights a parking lot expansion and small renovation at Maloney Place, which was originally meant to be completed in 2023. The project also highlights a first floor renovation of Beaudry Place in order to meet policing standards.
Other aspects of the project include moving costs, and a renovation to St. Albert Place to accommodate displaced Community Services and Family Community and Social Services staff.
There is some concern that the stop-gap solution will impede their ability to fund the new RCMP detachment that is part of the city's growth plan.
"I want to make sure we're not spending this money now as a super short-term gap when we really should be saving money for that bigger $28 million project in our 10-year growth plan," Coun. Mike Killick said during the April 15 council meeting.
"As it stands now the police building, the permanent solution is still very much a concept and we have demands now," said the city's Chief Administrative Officer Bill Fletcher. "We need a viable space to bridge that gap."
Delays in construction
The original plan was for the project to be completed in 2023, pointed out by Killick. Dawny George, the city's director of engineering services, said the model allows them to peace meal the construction scopes with the parking lot expansion of Maloney Place happening and some scope of renovation in Beaudry Place already happening, but the delay came from moving displaced staff to and from St. Albert Place (SAP) while renovations in both SAP and Beaudry Place occurred.
"Long story shot... things have been progressing. It hasn't ended yet. This is the last bit of the ask of the scope so that, if advanced, we can complete construction," George said.
Chad Paddick, the city's project manager, said that work would probably be completed within the spring or summer of 2026.
