Ontario Construction News staff writer
Bird Construction has completed another new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment, with the doors opening on Orillia’s $20-million facility.
It’s part of the province’s OPP Modernization – Phase 2 project, announced in 2018, to replace aging OPP facilities across the province that are at the end of their lifespan and no longer meet the requirements of today’s police operations. The project, which initially consisted of nine detachments with a budget of $182 million, was revaluated at $201 million last June to accommodate the construction of a tenth detachment in Cambridge.
Bird Capital OMP Project Co Inc. was selected to lead the design and build of all 10 detachments under the OPP Modernization – Phase 2 project.
“Our government continues to deliver on the promise to build safer communities across Ontario, including here in Orillia,” Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said at the official opening.
“This new state-of-the-art detachment not only provides OPP officers with the tools they need to better serve and protect the people of Orillia and surrounding communities, it also provides them with the tools they need to do their jobs safely.”
The Orillia detachment provides approximately 34,000 sq. ft. of space, a modern infrastructure design to support ever-changing technology requirements including facilities to secure evidence, 12 holding cells, closed-circuit television technology and other advanced security features.
“As our region continues to develop and grow, we need police services that can meet the complex and increased demands of our communities, and today’s announcement is making that possible,” said Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop.
The new facility is accessible and designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Standard, which recognizes buildings with reduced environmental impacts.
“Infrastructure projects like this new OPP detachment are essential to the safety and security of our communities,” said Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure.
“We will continue to work with communities like Orillia to invest in local priorities and build, renew and modernize the infrastructure that our law enforcement frontline heroes and the people of Ontario rely on to stay safe.”
