Consultant finds existing station needs basic upgrades, not replacement, while police plan $91-million new build.
A consultant’s report commissioned by the Sarnia Police Service found that the existing police headquarters at 555 Christina Street North requires about $4.4 million in upgrades to meet current building codes and standards.
The Building Condition Assessment, completed in 2023 by Dillon Consulting, identified standard end-of-life updates typical for a facility built in 1987. Recommended work includes new HVAC systems, exterior window replacements, and concrete restoration.
The report concluded that these upgrades would bring the building into compliance with code requirements.
A separate Space Needs Assessment conducted in 2024 reviewed the layout and operational functionality of the facility and recommended additional improvements to meet accessibility and policing standards.
Despite the findings, the Sarnia Police Services Board voted in August 2024 to proceed with a phased plan for a new facility. The overall construction cost for a replacement headquarters has been presented to taxpayers at approximately $91 million.
