The hardest thing Insp. Dave Brunner of the Cochrane RCMP had to do at a sneak peak inside the new Protective Services Building in Heartland last week was wipe the smile off his face.
And it was easy to see why, after the top cop in the new headquarters walked media around the 40,000 square-foot, (3,716 sq metre) two-story edifice, highlighting how Cochrane now has a state-of-the-art facility housing victims services, Municipal Enforcement, and the RCMP detachment.
Just one of the many improvements to the old situation will be the fact that those three critical, intertwined services will be able to work together more seamlessly, which can only be a good thing for the town.
Many of the design features are an expression of how multi-cultural, gender-neutral needs will be met for both clients and staff.
In one case, the design is so cutting-edge that RCMP policy guidelines are being re-written to accommodate the new way of doing things.
All 15 washrooms are gender-neutral, as is the locker room.
And for anyone wondering how environmentally conscious the force is, there is a digital read-out on the water fountain in the gym keeping track of how many plastic bottles have not been used.
When Brunner took local reporters into his future office, he couldn’t resist calling up a picture of his old office on 1st Street E on his phone, to illustrate the contrast.
The old office looked more like a broom closet than a space appropriate for the officer in charge of a bustling police department, with exposed electrical conduits in clear view.
But it was the enhanced efficiency of workflow the new building will allow that really got Brunner’s eye, especially when showing off the new briefing room.
“So they (members) can come to the morning briefing, grab their duty bag, and [go] out the door into the parking lot. It’s a natural progression – boom, boom, out the door and to work,” he said.
Corporate property manager for the Town of Cochrane Greg Barsi said they issued an expression of interest for local photographers to provide work capturing the spirit of the area (Indigenous and non-Indigenous). The pictures dovetail with the flow and feel of the activities that will take place in various spaces.
Many of the pictures – and more than one reference in Brunner’s comments – focused on the importance of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
A large space on the second floor remains purposely unfinished for now. That design decision recognizes that future growth in population will inevitably lead to a demand for more space down the road, which, as a serendipitous side effect, could also become a selling point in any possible expansion into becoming a regional office.
Barsi was almost as vibrant as Brunner in his praise for the work done over the two years the building took to complete.
“Everything you see is high efficiency, simple, reliable and efficient,” he said.
He couldn’t resist adding something that, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, was not often heard from government officials.
“We’re ahead of schedule and will be under budget,” he said.
It’s too early for an exact number (apparently Town council needs to see those figures first before they’re disclosed publicly) but by locking in some contracts on the cusp of the inflationary spike caused by COVID, he claimed the Town saved money.
The construction budget was $23 million.
A new protective services facility was identified as a need through the obligations under the Municipal Police Service Agreement, which requires a municipality to provide police accommodations.
In celebration of the opening, residents are invited to join members of Cochrane RCMP, Municipal Enforcement, council and administration for a community celebration on July 15 from 11 am to 2 pm.
The old detachment is a federally owned building that is well beyond its functional life. The RCMP will now make regular lease payments to the Town.
When announced, the building was scheduled to open ‘in the summer of 2023.’ The official opening date is June 19, two days before the start of summer, Barsi pointed out with a smile.
Parking – one of the frequent complaints about the old building – shouldn’t be an issue on the 4.66-acre (1.9-hectare) site at the corner of Horse Creek Trail and Bow Valley Trail (Highway 1A).
There is a “soft interview room” designed to be conducive to better communications, as well as a separate quiet room for staff to decompress privately after high-intensity, emotional encounters.
“The building really speaks to functionality, member wellness, and people wellness, holistically,” Brunner said. “It’s very healthy.”
As the tour came to a close, Brunner wanted to leave a parting message.
“Don’t forget to tell people we’re hiring,” he told reporters.
