Public Safety Building

Monday, May 13, 2013

Public safety is one of the most important services the District provides, but neither the Police Station or the main Fire Hall #1 are constructed to a post-disaster standard and would likely fail in a major seismic event.

On May 6, 2013, staff reported back to Council with the recommended exterior schematic design and was approved by Council to proceed as the basis for the design of the project.

Also on May 6, 2013, Council approved funding release for the Design Development phase.

Display Boards from the April 24, 2013 Open House

Rationale
The District's first responders—police and fire—provide exemplary service to the community and have the skills, training and experience, but their primary facilities are currently deficient. Neither the Police Station nor the main Fire Hall #1 are likely to be functional after a major earthquake. If these facilities were incapacitated, the District's first responders would not be able to deploy equipment, vehicles or deliver life saving services to the community. Council has identified the Public Safety Building as a high priority project for the District.

Current Status
The project is in the early design phase. The project architects and design team will be completing the Design Development phase of the project in the next few months.

Steps we’ve taken 

The planning process to reach this point included the following:

  • development of a preliminary concept; 
  • consultation with operational user groups including Police and Fire & Rescue Services; 
  • development of a space needs assessment to determine and test the current and future space and operational requirements for Police and Fire & Rescue Services; 
  • preliminary feasibility studies and development of a "test concept"; 
  • development and testing of cost and space estimates; 
  • internal engagement, public engagement, testing and due diligence to confirm feasibility; 
  • development of alternative massing scenarios (i.e. building forms); 
  • internal engagement and public engagement on the alternative massing scenarios, including a public Open House held on January 30, 2013; and
  • development of a “Preliminary Exterior Schematic Design”
  • development of a “Recommended Exterior Schematic Design”.

In July 2012, following a public consultation process including a District-wide telephone survey and open houses, Council approved the project to continue to the planning stage based on the following approved project parameters: 

  • post-disaster seismic standard; 
  • Municipal Hall site; 
  • co-location of Police and Fire & Rescue Services; 
  • a space estimate of 57,600 gross square feet; and 
  • a target budget of $36 million.

The proposed funding model is to fund the project from District land sales with no additional burden to the taxpayer. The specific funding model will be confirmed by Council later this year before any construction would be started.

Next steps
Design Development phase is the next step to design refinement based on the approved “Recommended Exterior Schematic Design”. This phase defines the project’s major elements with respect to architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, equipment, civil, landscape, and utility infrastructure.

Questions? Contact Us
Email:  psb@westvancouver.ca 
Call: John Wong, Manager of Facilities and Assets, at 604-921-3420

Additional Information

Displayboards from January 30, 2013 Open House

Frequently Asked Questions