The RCMP detachment on Battle Street.

(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

Kamloops councillors unanimously approved to fund $4.75 million for a new design for the RCMP detachment on Battle Street.

Darren Crundwell, capital projects manager, provided council with a report seeking authorization to increase available funding for the modernization of the detachment by $4.75 million, at a regular council meeting May 10.

The current estimate for the entire project is in the range of $50–$80 million, including design and construction. This expansion would double the existing space and serve the RCMP’s needs for approximately the next 15 years, according to a report prepared by staff.

The current RCMP detachment is 115% over capacity, according to the report presented during the meeting. It was constructed in 1990 and was designed for up to 85 occupants.

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“In addition to significant growth in the city over the past 30 years, community policing has also changed considerably. The various incidents handled by police, the handling and safeguarding of evidence, and how the RCMP operates in general has changed. These changes are a result of an increased policing services requirement and an increased need to safeguard employees and segregate evidence and other procedures from those who do not require access.

"These requirements are currently challenged due to the building’s configuration and the amount of space available,” according to the report.

Staff recommended council move forward with the approval of $4.75 million in detailed design funding so design work can progress throughout the summer and fall.

Staff believe this way of funding the project will save future costs of approximately $7.1 million by avoiding escalating prices and predicted supply chain issues if design were delayed until after the election, according to the report.

Council authorized increasing the RCMP Battle Street Detachment Modernization project by $4.75 million, funded from short-term debt, to support the project’s detailed design.

Staff will bring forward another report in early 2023 for council to approve the design and construction funding.

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