As Thunder Bay Police ask for a new headquarters, the city will search for ways to save money on the proposed $52-million project.
City Council is telling a consultant to look into smaller neighbourhood offices, with a report expected back in late September.
Councillor Trevor Giertuga says these “satellite” offices would be more achievable.
“It would be nice to have a brand-new building, but sometimes it’s not about what we want, it’s about what we can afford financially,” Giertuga says. “And financially, I don’t think we can afford fifty-plus million.”
Deputy Police Chief Ryan Hughes maintains that approach may not be a good idea.
“The satellite [offices] spread our resources out, and there’s more supervision that’s required for the satellites,” Hughes explains, adding when police had neighbourhood offices previously, it made no difference in safety or crime rates around the office.
Mayor Bill Mauro points out while a previous report said the Balmoral Street headquarters wasn’t sufficient for police or the public, they aren’t required to make a decision right now.
He points to other buildings like the Fort William Gardens and the Botanical Conservatory, which he claims have managed to continue operating despite needing repairs.
The previous report to Council on police headquarters also estimated it would cost $63.7-million to renovate and expand the current building.
