When it comes to a new emergency services campus, Simcoe County councillors are joining with Barrie – on raising concerns about the project’s cost.
In the works since 2014, when an initial feasibility study confirmed bringing the Simcoe County Paramedic Services onto the same site as Barrie police and fire, the project is forecast to cost just over $100 million.
The project would consist of three buildings and include shared space for mechanical, electrical and waste disposal, a public entrance and parking area and staff fitness and lunch rooms.
Simcoe County Paramedic Services would occupy the most of one building, which would be built to a LEED standard. It would also have some space for the police.
For that, the estimated cost to the county is just under $24 million.
The entire project, however, is just over $100 million, with Barrie paying the $76-million balance.
“There’s quite a bit of dissent on Barrie council,” said Oro-Medonte Mayor Ralph Hough.
“Are they onside? I have a concern approving $24 million if I’m not sure we have a partner or not.”
Barrie, however, has been working to find a solution for its police for almost a decade. The police service has outgrown its Sperling Drive headquarters and the police have two other facilities nearby but across Hwy. 400. The city, however, has a relatively new fire and emergency services headquarters, at Station 1, built with the help of federal and provincial stimulus funding just after the recession and opened in 2011.
Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman reassured county council the city is on board, but a final go-forward vote on the project is scheduled for later this month.
“There was a concern expressed on the overall costs, no question… We’re being asked to approve a substantial cost. Barrie’s cost is a multiple of yours,” said Lehman.
“This model saves the taxpayer money, but the problem is the ticket price is higher because you’re putting three projects together.”
He added there are $20 million in projected construction savings compared to three separate projects and a further $10 million in savings through shared services.
The county’s purchasing manager Dawn Hipwell said the project was initially forecast to cost $135 but county and city staff have worked to bring that down. It has space for all three emergency services to grow as the county and city grow.
Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith, however, had some concerns about the cost per square foot.
“The sheer cost of storing ambulances...”, he said, after hearing the project will have 29 ambulance bays and that the county’s paramedic services has only 60 ambulances, spread out throughout the county.
Before the vote on whether to go ahead comes on June 27, county councillors are wanting more details and answers about the savings and value of the project.
“There are a lot of questions we need to have answered. Are we going to move ambulance here? Are we going to have more paramedics?” said Severn Township Mayor Mike Burkett.
As to the location, the “central Barrie” site has yet to be announced as the land deal has not yet closed. Barrie council also has yet to vote on whether to proceed.
