Bird breaks ground on Cambridge OPP detachment
Construction is officially underway on the new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment in Cambridge.
Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique were on-site on October 7 to break ground on the new detachment that will replace the former OPP building destroyed by fire in September 2018. The $20-million facility will provide officers with the leading-edge equipment and technology they need to better serve and protect their communities.
“Our government continues to ensure that frontline police have the support and resources they need to keep Ontario’s communities safe,” said Jones. “With this new state-of-the-art detachment, OPP officers will have access to the tools, equipment and technology they need to serve and protect the people of Cambridge and its surrounding areas.”
The new detachment will provide approximately 17,000 square feet of space, a modern infrastructure design to support ever-changing technology requirements including facilities to secure evidence, three holding cells, closed-circuit television technology and other advanced security features.
“This announcement represents another step our government is taking to help build a safer community here in Waterloo Region,” said Kitchener—Conestoga MPP Mike Harris. “A new OPP detachment serving Cambridge is great news for our dedicated frontline officers, local residents, and the entire region.”
The Cambridge build is part of the province’s OPP Modernization – Phase 2 project, which was announced in 2018, and which initially planned to replace nine aging OPP facilities across the province. The Cambridge build was later added to the portfolio. 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.
“The impressive new Cambridge OPP Detachment will provide our officers and civilian members with an accessible and energy-efficient facility to continue to deliver on a shared commitment with our government to safe communities and a secure Ontario,” said Carrique.
The new Cambridge OPP detachment will be located at 1360 Hespeler Road, and the new facility has been designed to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver standard. Construction is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
Featured image: Artist’s rendering of the new Cambridge OPP detachment. (Ministry of the Solicitor General)