Sarnia city council voted 6–3 to set aside 11.7 acres of land near the Sarnia Business and Research Park as the proposed site for a new police headquarters — a project with a projected price tag of $91 million. The decision allows police to move forward with development studies for a facility that could replace the […]
Sarnia city council voted 6–3 to set aside 11.7 acres of land near the Sarnia Business and Research Park as the proposed site for a new police headquarters — a project with a projected price tag of $91 million.
The decision allows police to move forward with development studies for a facility that could replace the city’s existing 1987-built headquarters on Christina Street.
At the July 21 meeting, Police Chief Derek Davis and Police Services Board Chair Paul Wiersma appeared before council to request approval for the land. Wiersma said the board had reviewed multiple city-owned parcels before selecting the site, citing its availability, access to servicing, and separation from residential areas. It replaces a previously approved Wellington Street location that drew opposition from the Sarnia & District Humane Society.
Although the vote did not commit funding for construction, it allows city staff to begin site assessments, including environmental, archaeological, and traffic studies.
“We're a debt-free city. We've worked over 20 years to reduce that debt,” said Mayor Mike Bradley. “This will impact on our budget so deeply… we’re talking regular, huge tax increases to finance this.”
The proposed new facility would span approximately 98,000 square feet and is intended to accommodate long-term growth, staffing, and specialized operations. According to architects from RPL and +VG, the headquarters would include secure detention areas, forensic labs, exhibit storage, indoor vehicle bays, IT infrastructure to support body-worn camera data, and training space — all designed to meet modern policing and post-disaster standards.
Chief Davis contrasted that vision with the limitations of the current Christina Street facility, pointing to long-standing issues with space, training capacity, and outdated infrastructure.
“It does nowhere near meet the standard of how a modern Police Service operates,” he said, noting that the department must drive to Chatham for mandatory rifle training because the size of Sarnia’s existing shooting range does not meet legislative requirements.
Councillor Terry Burrell raised concern when one of the architects was unable to confirm the size of the existing police building.
When asked, the architect estimated it was around 60,000 square feet but said they didn’t have the exact number.“That’s a pretty basic question,” Burrell replied. “You’re recommending a new building, and you don’t know the size of the old building?”
Councillor Chrissy McRoberts asked whether the project could be broken into phases.
“Can we build this in phases? Do we need the parking lot to be paved right away?” she asked. Police board officials confirmed a phased approach is being considered, with a training facility as the most immediate need.
Concerns about cost overruns were also raised.
“Other police buildings, new ones, are all way over budget — way over beyond the original projections,” said Bradley.
“The current facility and property will remain a city asset,” Wiersma said, noting the site could be repurposed once vacated.
With the site now approved for study, council will soon have to confront the bigger question — whether Sarnia can afford to build it.
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