Eighteen new OPP facilities across Ontario built on time and within budget

TORONTO -The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS), Infrastructure Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and Shield Infrastructure Partnership are pleased to announce the OPP Modernization Project has reached substantial completion, on schedule and within budget.

Seventeen of the 18 facilities are now occupied by the OPP. The final building - the Central Region Headquarters in Orillia - is scheduled to be turned over to the OPP later this month.

Through this project, 18 new facilities including detachments, regional headquarters and forensic identification units were constructed in 16 communities across Ontario. The new facilities now feature up-to-date amenities to better support the demands of modern police operations and meet the needs of the communities they serve.

The construction project also provided a significant stimulus to Ontario's economy by directly and indirectly creating and supporting thousands of jobs. At the peak of construction, more than 2,000 workers were on these sites daily. Shield Infrastructure Partnership, a joint venture between Concert Infrastructure Ltd. and HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions GmbH, was selected to design, build, finance and maintain the new facilities. Shield began work on the new facilities in September 2010. 

Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services worked together with the OPP and Shield Infrastructure Partnership to build these facilities, which will remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.

As part of the McGuinty government's commitment to creating and promoting energy conservation in Ontario, the new OPP buildings were designed and built to meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver standards, incorporating environmentally sustainable construction practices and energy efficient design.

Infrastructure Ontario is a Crown corporation dedicated to delivering some of the province's larger and more complex infrastructure renewal projects, on time and on budget. It also manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada; provides real estate services, such as asset management, and property and land management; and provides the public sector and not-for-profit organizations with long-term financing to renew public infrastructure.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca for more information. 

Quotes: 

Honourable Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure 
“The completion of the OPP Modernization Project is another example of Infrastructure Ontario's commitment to obtaining the best value for Ontario taxpayers. Virtually all IO projects completed to date have been delivered on time and on budget, and the OPP Modernization Project is no different.”

Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services 
“We made this $293 million infrastructure investment because we are committed to giving our police officers the tools they need to help them do their jobs and keep all Ontarians safe. As a province, we owe each and every police officer our thanks, and we owe them our support. We believe a safe and secure province is the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous Ontario.” 

Chris Lewis, Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police 
“All of these facilities were desperately needed. We have great people at the OPP, but they need to be supported by modern infrastructure if they are going to provide the efficient and effective policing that Ontarians deserve.”

Steve Skelton, President of HOCHTIEF Solutions subsidiary HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions North America  
“We are delighted to have been given the chance to be part of this AFP project, which is of such importance for the Province of Ontario. Cooperation with everyone involved was excellent over the entire project period, enabling us to complete and hand over all facilities on or ahead of schedule.” 

Contacts: 

Seirge LeBlanc
Minister Meilleur's Office
Community Safety and Correctional Services
(416) 325-2240   

Brent Ross 
Communications Branch, MCSCS 
(416) 314-7024 

Melissa Pressacco     
Infrastructure Ontario      
(416) 326-9368 

Dan Parle  
Ontario Provincial Police  
(705) 329-6864