New Police Station Costs Rise, Delayed: MEEHAN

The new Ottawa Police South Headquarters facility is turning out to be another costly mess for city taxpayers.

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By Carol Anne Meehan

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An Ottawa Police officer told me recently of rumours that the building, under construction on Prince of Wales Drive along the Rideau River, had sunk six inches. It turns out the rumours are true but not exactly six inches but more than the acceptable settlement of one inch.

After asking a few questions I was sent minutes of the April 7 Ottawa Police Services Board finance and audit committee.

In it, Chief Eric Stubbs revealed that “unfavourable soil conditions” will delay completion of the new station until May 2027 and will add approximately $10 million dollars to the cost of the project. Stubbs has also hired construction consulting firm Revay and Associates to evaluate the work schedule and cost of the poor soil conditions.

So who’s at fault? Was the soil tested properly, or was it just assumed footings could be used for the building’s foundation?

It wasn’t discovered until after construction began that the soil did not have sufficient bearing capacity. That’s why piles now have to be installed down to the bedrock to support the foundation.

I’m not an engineer, just a ex-reporter, but it seems that the engineering firm has some explaining to do.

The station was to be completed in 2026 but that opening date has been pushed back to May 25, 2027.

In 2023, the station was expected to cost $118 million. That price has increased to $187 million with the project about 50 per cent complete. It is estimated that $138 million has be spent on the project already.

Carol Anne Meehan was an Ottawa journalist, a former city councillor and was a member of the Police Services Board.

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