THUNDER BAY — Plans to build a new $50-million police headquarters will remain on hold after members of the Thunder Bay Police Services Board voted to defer their decision on the matter until late April.
A motion that was initially presented at the Thunder Bay Police Services Board meeting in December 2020 was re-presented again during the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The recommendation asked for the board to support the inclusion of $6.1 million gross for land acquisition and the development of tender documents to be included in the 2022 capital budget and construction costs of $55.9 million gross be included in the 2024 capital budget for consideration.
HST rebates would lower $6.1 million to $5.6 million and $55.9 million to $50.4 million.
The motion was originally deferred back in December after the board’s newest member, Michael Power, had requested an opportunity to meet with police Chief Sylvie Hauth and city officials to review documents relating to the proposed project before casting a vote.
On Tuesday, Power told the board he had met with the city’s manager, Norm Gale and city treasurer, Linda Evans to discuss the project. He informed the board as a result of his discussion with city officials there was a need for more engagement with city councillors and the community before passing a motion that would then go before council.
“There is more engagement to be done…before we are passing motions or even considering motions like the one that is currently in our package as it relates to the project and then throwing it over the fence to city council,” Power said.
“This can’t be done at the end of one meeting,” Power said. “We need to have that strong community engagement and strong engagement with council.”
Power said he would assist the board and the chief with that effort over the next 90 days to ensure feedback is received and ready for the April board meeting.
Furthermore, Power added the deferral of the motion to April would not compromise the project’s timeline.
The motion was updated on Tuesday to state the new proposed police building and funding to begin its construction was deferred until April 20 to allow for more communication of the proposal with city council and the general public.
