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80 | FEBRUA RY 2016 Niagara Regional Police Headquarters RENDERINGS COURTESY NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE Niagara Regional Police Headquarters by ZUZANNA WODZYNSKA T he Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) in southern Ontario will be able to move into its new Headquarters in the spring of 2016. The much needed upgrade will see the amalgamation of several buildings into one, making a profound impact on how the NRPS serves its communities. "The new facility will contain our Niagara Falls Patrol building, the current Headquarters, the evidence warehouse, the investigative building and the computer data and training centre," says Inspector Richard Frayne, NRPS project manager for this undertaking. "It will also be incorporating parts of our current St. Catharines Patrol building, Emergency Services building and some aspects of our remaining patrol stations." The facility was designed by cherry- picking best practices from across North America, including principles laid out by the International Association of Chiefs' of Police, the National Fire Prevention Association, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design principles and Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. The design was driven by what will work best for NRPS members, and the members were heavily involved in identifying their needs to increase efficiency. "Our focus was around the day in the life of a member, and we designed everything to be as functional and efficient as possible," says Frayne. "Once this facility opens, our doors won't close again for 50 years or so." Construction on the project began late in 2013 and immediately hit a challenge. The frigid temperatures experienced that winter set the construction schedule behind by 12 weeks. "Strategic schedule changes were made and preventative measures were put in place in an effort to deal with weather conditions and advance the start date for finishing trades," notes Edmund Mahabir, executive VP, PPP infrastructure development and construction at Carillion Canada Inc. The 207,000-square-foot project needed 915 cubic yards of concrete for the raft footings, enough to fill roughly six in-ground pools, and which took eight-and-a-half hours to pour. Located close to Highway 420 in a mixed-use area, the new Headquarters will be four storeys, with three storeys above ground and one below. The building will be separated into three distinct zones: East Block, Centre Block and West Wing. East Block will be mainly administrative in nature, Centre Block will house operations, while the West Wing will house the support units that assist operations. "Each wing will hold the units that typically always work together while placing the zones in close proximity to units that are likely to sometimes work together," explains Frayne. "Each zone is based on building automation system efficiencies as well as workflow." Public safety work depends on expeditious access to resources, human and physical, and the new Headquarters will be able to provide both effectively. The complex investigations involving numerous units and departments will be undertaken under one roof. "Having these resources collocated will create a synergistic environment that is going to greatly increase our efficiencies and effectiveness," notes Frayne. Moreover, the community will see public access that provides a level of service and convenience that has not existed in the past. The lobby will contain a police reception counter where the public will have immediate access to police officers, a collision reporting centre, a convenient public records counter and a community meeting room. Self-reporting kiosks will also be found in the lobby. From here, the public can access information, request reports and file minor reports of their own. All public areas will be fully accessible and barrier-free with a welcoming feel. The new Headquarters will be home to approximately 680 police and civilian staff, with parking for 415 cars and will include electric vehicle charging stations. These stations along with the solar photo voltaic system are both part of the eco- friendly design targeting LEED Silver standards. "The building is supported by four generators, two diesel and two natural gas, which allow the building to remain fully functional in the event of a power failure or major incident such as an earthquake," explains Mahabir. Moreover, the structure has a seismic rating, which ensures that the building can withstand and remain operational in the event of a major earthquake. "In addition, Carillion's contribution to ensuring LEED Silver certification has involved compiling LEED documentation for record, waste management, sedimentation control and enforcing rules such as no smoking or food in the building," notes Mahabir. The NRPS has come a long way from the converted horse stable that served as the first police facility in the area and both the service, the community and Niagara region visitors will be able to reap the benefits soon. "We are transitioning from being housed in buildings to operating from purpose-built, functional and efficient facilities," says Frayne. "The difference between the two concepts is significant and the transition is very exciting as we start a new chapter in our service to the community." A LOCATION 5700 Valley Way, Niagara Falls, Ontario OWNER/DEVELOPER Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) ARCHITECTS Rebanks Pepper Littlewood Architects Inc. / McClaren, Wilson & Lawrie Inc. GENERAL CONTRACTOR Carillion Canada Inc. STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Halsall MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT MCW Consultants LEED CONSULTANT MMM Group Ltd. TOTAL SIZE 207,000 square feet TOTAL COST $65.9 million Comino Alliance

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