It has been discussed for about a decade in Rainy River and now it appears the local Ontario Provincial Police will be getting a bigger and better detachment office.
Bill Sobiski, facility manager for the Ontario Realty Corp. in Kenora, confirmed last week the process of improving the detachment has begun.
About two weeks ago, soil testing and surveying were conducted just west of the existing station on the corner of Highway 11 and Tower Road.
Sobiski said a consultant has been engaged to work on the project.
The design is anticipated to be completed by May, with the project being tendered out and awarded in June. It’s hoped the new facility will be completed by next January and that it will be commissioned in May, 2002.
The existing building was constructed in 1961 as an Ministry of Natural Resources office.
While it has undergone numerous alterations over the years, it has never been large enough for the needs of the local O.P.P. detachment.
It is 1,000 square feet in size while the new one will be about 5,000 square feet. It will include holding cells, office space, a reception area, a community meeting/briefing room, and a security system.
There also will be storage space for police vehicles and equipment.
While there was problems with a foul smell in the old building several years ago, that problem apparently was rectified and so the new facility will incorporate the existing one into its structure.
Sobiski said it’s too early to estimate the cost of the new facility. But Cst. Cam Howard of the Fort Frances O.P.P. noted taxpayers will not have to pay for the cost in their property taxes as they do for police services.
The Ontario Realty Corp. is an agent of the Crown that manages all provincial buildings and land holdings.
Sobiski said the Ministry of the Solicitor General has approved a project for the improvements to the Rainy River O.P.P. detachment.
Fort Frances Times
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