The Sarnia Police Services Board is anticipating the need for a new police headquarters within the next 20 years.
The establishment of a new restricted access Building Replacement Reserve was referred to department staff for a report at the board's meeting Thursday.
Yearly contributions of $100,000, $200,000 and $300,000 would be made over the next 15 years, totalling $3 million.
Chief Norm Hansen said it's time to start putting money away for a new building, with a target year of 2036.
"The city overall is developing a 10-year capital plan, we've been asked to do the same thing, so this would obviously be part of that. We aren't asking for a new building next year or in the next five years, but if at some point in time the city decides we need a new police station, it would be a good idea to have some reserves to pay for that."
Chief Hansen said the current Christina Street headquarters, which opened in 1987, is showing it's age.
"Every building wears out its usefulness, I guess. At this point in time we're in a 35-year-old building, policing and society, in general, have changed a lot in 35 years, but we're not asking for a new building right away," he said. "Right now, we're full, we're definitely full, we don't have a lot of spare room or facility, but since the city has asked us to consider it, then we're going to be considering it."
Sarnia Police Chief Norm Hansen.
Chief Hansen said over the years, they've had to move things around and make a number of changes at the station.
"For instance, when we first opened this building the dispatch centre was upstairs where our cafeteria is now, the far back part of the second floor where the detective office is, was empty space, the detective office was on the first floor. Well as things grew and changed, we've had to move things around -- now dispatch is on the main floor, detectives are upstairs, and we've really had to revamp the station as necessary."
Chief Hansen said the current space limitations will only become more noticeable as Sarnia police continue to increase their complement.