Retaining York Regional Police's current station in downtown Newmarket even after the new District 1 headquarters opens on Harry Walker Parkway will save $180,000 per year, according to police leadership.
The 50-year-old District 1 station at 240 Prospect St. will be replaced by the new $25.7-million headquarters that is scheduled to open in late 2021, however, Deputy Chief Paulo De Silva told members of the York Region Police Board on Wednesday that retaining the current building will reduce rental costs for the force.
The department is currently renting two office suites on Yonge Street.
"Retaining 240 Prospect St. will allow the board to reduce existing leasing costs by approximately $180,000 per year, and alleviate existing space pressures at York Regional Police headquarters (in Aurora)," said De Silva.
"Our current plan is to move 67 people into the building, this includes the professional standards department, which currently is located in a rented unit."
Up to five other units will also be relocated to the downtown Newmarket building.
Police Chief Jim MacSween also noted the Prospect building is also worth retaining because of its location in downtown Newmarket.
"This is an opportunity for keeping a visible presence in the downtown core, so that has been part of the strategy as well," he said.
Renovations to the old building will be required, and De Silva said the department plans to hire an architect during the first quarter of this year, with the goal of starting the work by the end of the year.
Board member and York Region chairman Wayne Emmerson questioned if a 50-year-old building was worth keeping and renovating. De Silva assured him that the department has had the building assessed, and it makes sense for now, although they may have to revisit the issue in five years.
Money for the renovations is allocated in the department's 2021 capital budget.
