Media Release - Hanover Council Provides Direction for New Police Station
MEDIA RELEASE
July, 2024
Hanover Council Provides Direction for New Police Station
HANOVER, ON – Hanover Council has confirmed their direction to proceed with a new police station. At their July 15th meeting, council unanimously supported a three-year levy increase phase-in commencing in 2025 to meet the long-term loan repayment funding obligations for a future police station.
This direction by council was follow-up to the Hanover Police Service Station Review Ad Hoc Committee Report received at their June 17, 2024 meeting. This report detailed the assessment the ad hoc committee undertook to provide a recommended conclusion for council’s consideration.
Council’s direction supports the construction of a new police station on the 10th Avenue site of the soon to be former Hanover firehall, adjacent to the Civic Centre. “A new police facility is a crucial component for our Hanover Police Service to conduct their essential community safety work well into our future”, stated Mayor Sue Paterson. “This direction is linked to our 2023 – 2027 Strategic Plan that includes safe and reliable infrastructure as a priority and details the importance of building, maintaining and continuously improving municipally owned buildings. Council decision on our police facility was a high priority action within our strategic plan.”
Factors that have prompted a new police facility include but are not limited to service related realities such as increasing calls for service, longer holds of prisoners in on site cells, virtual bail court hearings held at the station, as well as, facility deficiencies and space limitations. The estimated cost of a new facility is approximately $8.6 million. The approved levy increase phase in is spread out over 3 years to minimize the impact and is as per the Town’s Debt Management Policy. This approach provides the increased revenue from taxes to offset the long-term borrowing costs over the 3-year period.
The next step for the new police station will be to confirm the project terms of reference and this is expected to be completed in fall 2024. The proposed project phases include design in 2025, procurement and construction start in 2026 and facility completion in 2027.
- 30 –
Media Contact
Sherri Walden
Chief Administrative Officer
519.364.2780 x 1228
swalden@hanover.ca