Winnipeg police to start moving into new HQ this summer

Winnipeg's new police headquarters is almost ready, but it could take months to move in hundreds of officers and staff.

Councillors on the city's finance committee were given an update Thursday on the police headquarters project, which has involved refurbishing the old Canada Post building on Graham Avenue.

Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt, who chairs the finance committee, says the new headquarters should see its first occupants by June or early July.However, he said it could be a while before everyone is settled in.

"It will probably take a six-month period because of all the different divisions that are coming in from different parts of the city," he said.

"It's one building, but it's combining many different offices."

Wyatt added that relocating so many staff with very unique functions will take time.

"They're coming from different offices and you're dealing with complex issues, you know, such as handling prisoners, and so they have to spread it out and do it right," he said.

The project'sconstruction costs are pegged at more than $177 million.Total costs, including the purchase of the building, arejust shy of $210 million.

The project faces$75 million in cost overruns. On Thursday, the committee was told that there are no furtheroverruns.

The purchase of the building and its attached office tower will be included in an audit of the city's real estate transactions, which is set to be released in May.