Documents show preliminary $91 million estimate excludes taxes, fees, and equipment — final price expected to surpass $120 million.
Released documents from the Sarnia Police Service and architectural firm +VG (The Ventin Group Ltd.) indicate that the proposed new police headquarters could cost well over $120 million once all expenses are factored in.
The report, titled "Preliminary Project Planning & Site Selection," outlines a preliminary "order of magnitude" construction cost based on an expected facility size of 98,650 square feet. Construction costs are estimated at $865 per square foot.
The document lists:
The report explicitly notes that this $91 million figure does not include a wide range of additional expenses, such as: "soft costs, applicable taxes, tariffs, permit fees, speciality fees, specialty equip., solar, geothermal, etc.". The report also suggests carrying a separate "10% contingency specific to possible tariff costs".
In addition, the future cost of decommissioning the existing police facility on Christina Street remains unknown and has not been factored into the project’s financial estimates.
When these non-construction items are included, the total taxpayer-funded cost could exceed $120 million, depending on final design choices and financing terms. The report's cost-per-square-foot estimate is benchmarked against other recent police projects, such as facilities in Waterdown and Sudbury.
This updated cost projection comes as Sarnia City Council continues to review funding commitments for the new police headquarters, which was approved in principle by the Sarnia Police Services Board in August 2024.
In response to these mounting financial concerns, Mayor Mike Bradley has moved to strike the police facility financing costs from the 2026 Proposed Budget.
