REGINA - Construction is complete for the new Regina Police Service Headquarters West and Link building, the first phase of the police headquarters' development project.
Media and officials got a sneak peak at the new building last Thursday, June 22, in anticipation of opening to the public this week. The event included a flag raising attended by police and city dignitaries in front.
Here is some of what people can expect with the new building:
The front entrance to the police building is no longer on Osler Street, instead it is located at 1717 Saskatchewan Dr. The new Link building will provide most public services, with the building designed for accessibility and for energy efficiency.
The building includes four Inquiry Desk bays which provide more space and some more privacy for those coming in to report crimes. Three other window stalls are devoted to Criminal Record Checks requests.
There is also a meeting room area, and interview rooms located inside. The closed-off areas are used for those reporting sensitive crimes such as sexual assault or domestic violence, to provide greater privacy.
“This ultimately is going to be a good welcoming space for the community to come to interact with our officers, and ultimately to work together to find ways to build a safer community,” said Chief Evan Bray.
Construction began in 2021 at a budget of $50.4 million, or as Bray said, a “fraction of the cost” that Saskatoon spent for its new police building. As Bray pointed out, the main reason for that is because the Regina build will not be a completely new building.
As well, Bray noted they will be saving $2 million a year in leasing costs for other offices where police staff were being located, allowing staff to centralize back in one location. “Much like buying a house versus renting, we’re going to actually have equity in a location the city of Regina owns,” said Bray.
The new building stands where the former Saskatchewan Transit Company building was located; that was acquired in 2017 to make room for the new addition.
As for what the new facility offers to the public, Bray said it “provides what I call a contemporary space for modern-day policing issues and challenges respecting privacy, respecting anonymity if that’s needed, but also allowing our offices to interact in a good way with the citizens of our city.”
He said the building is more accessible for those with disabilities, and there is more parking available. There are also modernized identification areas and a “better and more conducive section” for investigative services.
“We know they’ve been cramped for a number of years,” said Mayor Sandra Masters in speaking to reporters. “Previous mayor and council identified this need back in 2017. So to have this come to fruition and have it be such a beautiful space for the community to access is really important because that’s the point is actually that connection, that privacy, for people who were victims who are looking for services or to connect with police to report a crime."
This is just the first phase of a three phase project to develop the police headquarters. Phase two work involves the Municipal Justice Building with that facility expected to be up and running by the fall, while the third phase will see renovations to Headquarters East, the original main police headquarters building, where all of the investigative services will be brought back in. It is expected all the work will be done by 2025.
