New RCMP Detachment Building

Mayor Dan Rogers and Dave Witwam of the City of Prince George provided the latest plans and drawing for the proposed RCMP Detachment Building designed to replace the current facility.  The current building was constructed in 1972 and functioned as both a Court House and RCMP Detachment located on the upper floors.  The Holding Cells remain located on the upper floor of the building, providing a serious safety concern for transporting prisoners from the lower ground level to the cell blocks via elevator through the work areas.  The old facility provides very inadequate accommodation for the expanded staffing levels of the police in addition to the labs, etc. necessary for modern policing.  initial plans were prepared in 1997 for a replacement facility and now after over a decade, the ground breaking at 4th and Victoria might commence as soon as spring 2011, with a completion schedule over 3 years.  One of the prime considerations by the City was that the new building will be located in the downtown core.  The plans is currently undergoing a Public Review process which will not be concluded until the middle of January 2011 at the earliest.