Police building renos entering final stages

Renovations on the Lethbridge Police Service building are entering their final stages, the Lethbridge Police Commission heard on Wednesday.

“Things are moving along quite rapidly,” said acting Chief Tom Ashcroft. “Things are changing on an almost daily basis.”

Basement areas, including classrooms, simulator room, IT training lab and exhibits, are now avaliable for LPS use.

“The training guys were actually in today and putting mats and stuff in the training rooms,” said Ashcroft.

Parking lots have been turned over for regular use, and LPS has moved into the new cell area while the old area is demolished.

“Demolition of the old area is underway and going quite rapidly,” said Ashcroft.

Renovations of the original second floor is underway, and landscaping in the north and west parking areas has been completed.

“We’re getting near the end,” Ashcroft said. “Knock on wood.”

During discussion, Coun. Bridget Mearns asked about the area where the prisoners will be transported away from the building.

“There was an issue with having to go outside,” she said.

“That has been corrected now,” said Ashcroft, noting the old port used for loading prisoners into vehicles was cordoned off and demolished.

“We haven’t had one in a while,” he said.

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