More cash approved for police station
By Chris Simon

The current Innisfil administration building.

More money has been thrown into the pot for Innisfil's proposed new police building.

Innisfil council approved a total of $244,919 for architectural and engineering fees, which will be used to help redevelop the old administration building into a South Simcoe Police North Division station, once municipal staff move into the New Town Hall.

The town has already allocated about $2.4 million for upgrades to the old administration building and the current North Division offices. If the proposed project is completed as planned, the police division's administration offices will operate out of the old town building, while the current North Division station would be used specifically for detention quarters and "uniform police functions", said community services director Kerry Columbus.

"When town staff vacate the old town hall, the administrative police functions will move into that building," he said. "The uniform police functions and detention quarters will occupy the existing building.

"This is the most economical way to proceed."

However, some members of council say the costs to fix up the old town building are expensive.

"We're up to almost $2.7 million and that doesn't include permit costs, furniture fixture and equipment," said councillor Lynn Dollin. "Would it not be cheaper to build a new (station)?"

Deputy mayor Gord Wauchope says the cost to build a new police station would be double the current price tag for renovations.

"To build a brand new building, it would be approximately $4.8 million," he said. "This is significantly cheaper. This building is still in pretty good shape, so it's money well spent."

Upgrades to the old town building would include the construction of an elevator, barrier-free washrooms, and roof, door, floor, fire alarm and security system replacements. The current police station would also need several improvements, according to a report from the architectural firm MCLA.

MCLA, which will be involved in the proposed project, had previously helped plan the construction of South Simcoe's new Bradford West Gwillimbury station.

Mayor Brian Jackson says the project would help both buildings meet the needs of Innisfil's growing population and conform with required health and safety standards.

"The architect has an inherent knowledge of what the police service requires and this building," he said.

The current North Division station is located beside the old town building.