Pitt Meadows is breaking ground on two new construction projects in the coming weeks, the city announced earlier this week.
Following a lengthy break, Pitt Meadows council returned on Sep. 12 and revealed that the city’s first RCMP building will open in 2025.
The project, which was unanimously approved by council in June, has a budget of over $21 million and will be led by Kenaidan Contracting Ltd., a Richmond-based construction firm.
The new building — located at 12486 Harris Road — will be over 19,000 square feet and give Pitt Meadows their first autonomous police force.
Currently, the Ridge Meadows RCMP headquarters is based in Maple Ridge, and officers patrol both Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.
“Pitt Meadows is one step closer to an autonomous RCMP detachment which will enhance service levels and police response times, as well as prioritize the unique needs of our community,” stated Mayor Nicole MacDonald in a press release.
The plan comes months after some Pitt Meadows residents expressed concerns about the detachment’s location.
The Ridge previously reported that the city held a public hearing on the RCMP building development in the spring, which saw some residents worry about loss of tree space and parkland from neighbouring Harris Road Park.
A portion of the park and eight trees are scheduled to get removed to make room for the detachment. But 15 new trees will be planted when the building is complete, said Colin O’Byrne, manager of planning, at a June 6 council meeting.
Pitt Meadows council also unveiled that $1.8 million has been allocated to build a new washroom building at Harris Road Park.
Kenaidan Contracting will lead that project too. In addition to the washroom, the park is also expected to have a new concession facility.
In 2022, Pitt Meadows council approved a gender neutral building that would feature 16 private stalls and three standalone washrooms.
Mark Roberts, Pitt Meadows’ chief administrative officer, declared that both projects fit in the city’s budget and won’t cause a property tax increase for residents.
“The construction pricing received for the new RCMP detachment and Harris Road Park washroom falls within the previously established $23.5 million budget,” he stated in a press release.
Construction on the washroom is expected to be complete in 2024.
