City Council Approves Purchase of Wright Boulevard Property for New Police Headquarters

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need a new police headquarters?

The existing Stratford Police Service headquarters at 17 George Street was built in 1963 and has been identified as undersized, inefficient, and inadequate for the current and future needs of the police service.

A new headquarters would provide suitable space for police services now and into the future. There is also an opportunity to include provincial court services and other possible municipal uses in the same building.

Will there still be a police presence downtown if the headquarters moves to Wright Boulevard?

Yes. Stratford Police would continue to maintain a visible presence downtown, regardless of the headquarters location.

How much will the new headquarters cost?

The total cost is estimated at $36 million. This includes:

• $12 million for the purchase of 10-52 Wright Boulevard
• $24 million for renovations

This estimate is based on architectural design work and a building condition assessment, which provide a more precise costing. While the estimate is higher than initially anticipated, it represents a more accurate assessment of the cost to adapt the building for police use.

Renovation costs are largely related to:

• Security measures
• Detention and prisoner transportation requirements
• Technical needs associated with communications, including dispatch

Wouldn’t it be less expensive to renovate the existing headquarters?

Renovating the existing headquarters on George Street is estimated to cost between $36 million and $40 million. However, that option would still not address some of the site’s constraints, including lack of parking or room for expanstion, as well as accessibility challenges.

A new purpose-built police headquarters is estimated to cost between $49 million and $55 million, not including the purchase of land.

For those reasons, the Wright Boulevard property remains the lowest-cost viable option for a new headquarters. It meets the Stratford Police Service’s current requirements and projected growth, provides opportunities to improve Stratford’s court facilities, and allows for other potential municipal uses.

How will this project be paid for, and how will it affect my property taxes?

The cost of the new headquarters would be paid through a combination of funding sources, including:

• Long-term debt
• Development charges
• Potential sale of surplus properties, including 17 George Street, and industrial land adjacent to the Wright Boulevard building

The exact impact on property taxes is difficult to determine, but it is expected to be manageable without a significant impact to the tax levy.

Using long-term debt means the overall cost would be spread over many years. In addition, the City has been building up capital reserve funds over the past few years in anticipation of projects like this, so some funding for the new police headquarters has already been accumulated through the tax levy.

The City’s long-term financial plan projects a modest annual increase to help pay for the replacement of City assets, including the police headquarters.

Where can I find more details about this project?

Background information and reports related to the Stratford Police headquarters can be found with the agenda package from the August 10, 2026 Council meeting.