The province continues to work behind the scenes on the $110-million police college that will be built in Fort Macleod.
Project managers are reviewing the qualifications of some of the nine companies that submitted proposals to build the college and lease it to the province.
“We would very much like to have that project moving forward,” Fort Macleod Mayor Shawn Patience said. “We think it is, but it’s not as fast as anyone would like.”
The province announced in August 2006 that it would build the $110-million Alberta Police and Peace Officer Training Centre in Fort Macleod.
At that time, local officials were optimistic work on the site in the southeast corner of Fort Macleod would already be under way.
“From our perspective, the sooner they get going the better,” Patience said in an interview Friday.
The Solicitor General’s department in January placed a call for expressions of interest from the private sector for a private-public partnership.
The expression of interest was a way to gather information, with no obligation on the part of the government to choose any developer who responds.
The province then asked for qualifications from a short list of the nine who responded to the expression of interest.
The contract for construction is to be awarded in January 2009. Construction of the police college in the southeast corner of Fort Macleod is scheduled to begin in 2009.
“There is so much up-front work that needs to be done for a major project like this,” Town of Fort Macleod economic development officer Gordon MacIvor said. “This is a $110-million project.”
Patience said while the lack of physical work on the site is frustrating, it has been the case from the start of the project that each step takes longer than anticipated.
“I had hoped we would be past this stage, but none of it has gone as quickly as we would have liked,” Patience said.
Patience is confident the project will proceed as indicated by Solicitor General Fred Lindsay and his predecessor, Harvey Cenaiko.
“Fred Lindsay I believe to be a man of his word,” Patience said. “Both him and Harvey Cenaiko are very committed to this project.”
MacIvor agreed, adding any uncertainty among local residents is understandable.
“Until they get a shovel in the ground we’re still going to have people questioning it,” MacIvor said.
The police college will become the training centre for about 1,500 police and peace officer recruits such as special constables, corrections officers, sheriffs, private investigators and security guards each year.
The police college will have a main building of about 35,000 square metres, a training area that is like an outdoor village, indoor firing ranges and vehicle services.
There will be typical classrooms and labs in the college.The college will have offices for the registrar, instructors and administration, as well as an armoury, chapel, health centre and radio work area.
Special facilities to be included at the college are shooting ranges, simulation areas, combative rooms, a parade ground, drill hall and tactical area.
Instructional space will include computer labs, a DNA lab, distance learning, lecture theatre, breakout rooms and a library.
Those areas will be for the exclusive use of the college, but there are plans for possible shared use facilities such as a driving track, ball fields and running and bike trails.
Other possible shared use areas or services the college might purchase are a gym, ball courts, fitness centre, recruit residence, hotel for continuing education, food services, store, laundry, bar or lounge. Support services that might be bought or shared include parking, material handling, vehicle maintenance, building maintenance, printing and an audio-visual work area.
The college will be a welcome sight in Fort Macleod, whenever it is built. “We’re ever vigilant,” Patience said. “I have no reason to believe it’s not going ahead.”