WINNIPEG, MB - September 7, 2012 - Winnipeg will soon have a new police station that is competitively priced, built in a timely manner, and meets all of the operational needs of the Winnipeg Police Service to efficiently and effectively protect public safety. Today, Mayor Sam Katz, Councillor Paula Havixbeck and Chief Keith McCaskill declared construction officially underway at the new South District Police Station, located at 2321 Grant Avenue.
The single storey, 33,000 square foot station will replace the existing District 2 (210 Lyle Street) and District 6 (1350 Pembina Highway) stations and will house Uniform Operations, a Plainclothes Investigation Unit, a Service Centre and a Community Support Unit.
"This new police station will replace two stations built in the 1950s," said Mayor Sam Katz. "Maintaining and improving our infrastructure is one of my chief priorities as Mayor and P3 projects like this one are helping to get the job done for Winnipeggers."
"This station will enhance the police presence in this quadrant of Winnipeg and provide a new, modern workspace for our police officers, ensuring they have the tools they need to help make our city safer," said Councillor Paula Havixbeck, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Protection and Community Services and Ward Councillor for Charleswood-Tuxedo.
"We appreciate the support of Council in providing a modern facility for police operations in the southwest part of the city," said Police Chief Keith McCaskill. "This new facility replaces outdated stations and will help our members in service to our fellow Winnipeggers."
With a guaranteed maximum price tag of just over $18 million, construction of the new South District Police Station is expected to be completed in the fall of 2013.
As a result of a Request for Proposal process in the fall of 2011, Shelter Canadian Properties Limited (SCPL) was awarded a contract to build, finance and maintain the new South District Police Station. As part of the public-private partnership agreement, the City will lease the land to SCPL, which will then sublease the land and the building to the City for a 30-year-term with two, 10-year options to renew. At the end of the lease, a fully-maintained station will be turned over to City ownership.
On July 23, 2003, Council approved the implementation of the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) Four District Model. The former six-district service delivery model was based on a municipal structure which existed prior to 1971. Contemporary policing issues led the WPS to review this service delivery structure and recommended realignment from six to four districts.
Amalgamation of District 4 (Transcona, North Kildonan) and District 5 (St. Vital, St. Boniface), was achieved in 2008 with the opening of the East District Station, which was also constructed as a P3 project.