Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Solicitor General have released a request for qualifications (RFQ) to design, build and finance 12 new Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachments, along with a new regional headquarters in Thunder Bay.
The RFQ marks the first step in the procurement process for Phase Three of the OPP Modernization Project, which aims to replace aging police facilities—many of which are between 40 and 60 years old—with modern, purpose-built structures that support today’s policing requirements.
The new facilities will be constructed to meet LEED Silver standards, reflecting the province’s commitment to environmentally responsible building practices. Each detachment will include secure sallyports, holding cells, closed-circuit television systems, exhibit and evidence vaults with dedicated processing areas, modern technology infrastructure, and fully accessible public areas. New detachments are planned for Ignace, Niagara, Bracebridge, New Liskeard, Burlington, Kenora, Lancaster, Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Kilaloe, Espanola/McKerrow and Wawa.
In addition to the 12 detachments, the project includes the construction of a new Northwest Region OPP headquarters in Thunder Bay.
Phase Three builds on previous modernization efforts.
In Phase Two, NORR, as part of the BIRD Capital Consortium, was selected to design nine new community detachment facilities using Ontario’s Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model and a Design-Build-Finance (DBF) delivery method. Completed in 2022, those facilities are located in Clinton, Hawkesbury, Little Current, Marathon, Mississauga, Moosonee, Orillia, Parry Sound and Fort Frances.
NORR’s designs for the earlier phase aimed to reflect each community’s identity. Drawing inspiration from Ontario’s landscapes and the work of the Group of Seven, each building incorporated artistic and cultural elements representative of its location. Despite a unified design language, every detachment featured unique design elements to mirror the character of the communities it serves.
Interested teams for Phase Three will be shortlisted based on their relevant experience and financial capacity. Those selected will be invited to respond to a formal request for proposals (RFP), expected in early 2026.
To download the RFQ, companies must register through MERX.