City of Winnipeg gives conflicting dates on police HQ project

The City of Winnipeg has conflicting dates on when its police service will move into its new headquarters.

The controversial project, which involves refurbishing the former Canada Post building on Graham Avenue, is at least $75 million over its original budget and is already the focus of an RCMP investigation into how contracts were awarded for the work.

Police members were supposed to move into the building in January 2014, but construction problems and water damage caused by a rain storm in August pushed the date back.

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In a news release issued on Friday afternoon, city officials said work on the building is "nearing completion," with a "summer move-in anticipated."

"The City will tentatively take possession this summer," the news release states in part.

But the project's latest financial status report, which will be reviewed by council's finance committee next week, says the police service aims to assume occupancy of the building this fall.

"Once the occupancy permit has been issued and Total Completion achieved, the City and WPS will work to address any building systems safeguards before WPS divisions occupy the building in the fall of 2015," the report states in part.

Acting police chief didn't know

Earlier in the day, acting police chief Art Stannard was asked if the service will move into the new headquarters this spring or summer.

"I don't know. I can't say," he told reporters.

The news release says the project is expected to stay within its current budget, as costs related to the water damage from August are being submitted as an insurance claim, according to officials.

The committee will review the administrative report on March 12. You can read the document below.

• ON MOBILE? Read the report here