In the afternoon of Wednesday, May 22nd, the Township of Esquimalt held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Public Safety Building and announced that Knappett Projects Inc. has been awarded the construction contract.
However, with this announcement also comes a decision from the Township to reduce the scope of the new building due to rising construction costs.
This decision was made in order to keep the building’s construction in line with the funds allocated to the project in Esquimalt’s Budget 2023.
“We are thrilled to be breaking ground,” said Esquimalt Mayor Barbara Desjardins.
“The community deserves a modern public safety building and I know it has taken a lot of hard work to get us to this important step.”
The three storey building will be located at 500 Park Place, the former site of Esquimalt Fire Rescue and Services, who will be moving back upon completion along with the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and space for Capital Regional District offices.
The four bays designated for the fire department will be located on the south face of the building on Carlisle Street.
Esquimalt Fire and Rescue Services will also get a training tower and a classroom included into the building.
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Esquimalt says the total budget estimate for the project is $42 million, which includes costs associated with the work, demolition and abatement of the old public safety building, renovating the interim police facilities and building the temporary fire hall.
They say that roughly one-third of the costs are being spent on needs other than construction.
Construction is slated to officially begin on May 27th and the building is scheduled for completion by fall 2026.
