Renovation of Police Service buildings

To better meet the growing needs of our community and Police Service, the City is moving forward with improvements to police facilities based on the 2019 Facility Space Needs Study. This study identified the need for expanded space across several departments to support operations, enhance service delivery, and accommodate future growth. The City purchased a second building in 2023 at 1421 Lansdowne St. W. to complement the existing Police Service headquarters at 500 Water St.

Both buildings will undergo renovations and additions to ensure they provide the modern, functional space needed for effective policing. The police will occupy a portion of the 1421 Lansdowne St. W. location. This multi-site approach will help improve efficiency, business continuity in an emergency, staff workflow, and overall service to the public.

Reasons for expansion:

Peterborough Police Service has outgrown its current facility
Community Safety and Police Act has been updated with new requirements
Current Ontario Building Code requirements need to be addressed

Background work:

Various studies and reports have been completed to support the design work for both sites including:

Topographical and boundary surveys
Archaeological dig
Geotechnical report
Hazardous materials report
Traffic/Parking Study
Building Energy Efficiency Study (Carbon and GHG study)
Site plan pre-consultation

Schedule of work

Phased construction is planned to commence at 1421 Lansdowne St. W. during late 2025 or early 2026, pending the appropriate permitting and approvals. Water Street construction will commence when most of the work is complete at 1421 Lansdowne St. W. Some services will move from 500 Water St. to 1421 Lansdowne St. W. temporarily during construction to minimize disruption to policing services.

Construction is anticipated to be completed by 2028.

Design elements

500 Water St. facility

The building at 500 Water St. will maintain its operational Police presence in the downtown throughout all phases of construction, this is also where many public-facing services will remain.

architectural rending of Police Service building on Water Street with proposed renovation areas

architectural rending of Police Service building on Water Street facing west, with proposed renovation areas to building and parking lot

Proposed layout for Water Street Police Facility site plan indicating new additions on east side of building and same public entrance location

1421 Lansdowne St. W. facility

The building at 1421 Lansdowne St. W. will host Police Board offices and meeting spaces, executive and administration functions, property storage and intake, training space, and the collision reporting centre.

The section of the property planned to be used by Police and included in this project is shown by the central area shown on the site plan.

Architectural rendering of property on Lansdowne Street showing existing and proposed buildings

Architectural rendering of proposed building and existing building from back of property facing Lansdowne Street

Proposed Site Plan layout drawing with 3.6 acres of potential development land facing Lansdowne, an area in middle of property for Police Use and an area at far south side of property for future City use

Proposed layout site plan for Lansdowne property showing new additions near parking lot and for forensic/property as well as exterior storage, existing building and a facility for future city use at south end of property. Parking lots, road access is also identified

The parts of the building shown in orange (the Calvary Church) do not form part of this project and will not be renovated or changed at this time. The part of the building shown in white is existing space to be renovated for Police use, and the parts shown in blue are new additions to create spaces required by the Facility Space Needs Study.

To assist in achieving the corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets as mandated by the Climate Emergency Declaration approved by Council in 2019, the renovations and additions of both buildings will incorporate sustainability measures to improve the performance of the existing buildings and ensure the additions meet current day best practise. The design strives to achieve a 50% reduction of GHGs at 500 Water St. and an 80% reduction of GHGs at 1421 Lansdowne St. W. City staff and project consultants are selecting elements of the energy conservation studies that have the best return on investment and improve the performance of the buildings and their systems to provide robust, sustainable facilities.

Other background resources

Council reports

The City of Peterborough and Police Service are committed to keeping the community informed as this project progresses. Stay tuned for updates on timelines, construction and future milestones.