Past Updates

In the fall of 2023, the City of Pitt Meadows expects to break ground on the new autonomous RCMP detachment and Harris Road Park washroom building after the construction contract for both projects was awarded to Kenaidan Contracting Ltd. following a competitive procurement process. Read the full media release here.

Council approved Option 4 as the preferred conceptual design for the new Autonomous RCMP Detachment building that was presented at the Council Meeting on June 7, 2022. The preferred conceptual design was informed by feedback received in 2021 as well as from Council and other stakeholders at the May 3, 2022 Council Meeting. In addition, Council approved a project cost of $21,733,000, with $1,733,000 funded from the Major Buildings Reserve. The project will now proceed to the detailed design phase.

The transition to an autonomous RCMP Detachment for Pitt Meadows continues to advance with significant progress made on the detailed design of the building, as well as the return of Staff Sergeant (S/Sgt.) Michelle Luca to the Community Policing Office (CPO). Read the full media release here.

On March 9, 2021 , following the recommendations from an independent site analysis, Council unanimously selected the site of the current Pitt Meadows Art Gallery (PMAG)/Athletic Building as the preferred location for the future autonomous RCMP detachment. This decision was made based on a number of considerations including cost and the site meeting the majority of the City’s and RCMP’s desired criteria. 

After assessing 13 potential options, the most feasible and cost-effective location is the current PMAG building/Athletic Building site on Harris Road for the following reasons:

• Site satisfies RCMP safety and security requirements
• Lowest cost option
• City-owned property
• Fits construction timeline
• Central and visible location, close to transit and outside of the Agricultural Land Reserve and flood hazard zone
• Childcare services are not affected
• No disruption to police operations
• Offers opportunities to re-purpose existing Community Police Office (CPO)

Read the full news release here. 

The City of Pitt Meadows sought approval of the electors by alternative approval process in accordance with Section 86 of the Community Charter.  In total, the City received 202 Elector Response Forms (the equivalent of 1.4% of eligible electors of Pitt Meadows) indicating their opposition to the park designation removal.  As a result, electorate approval has been obtained on this matter.  Approval of the electors is obtained if the number of valid elector responses received by the deadline is less than 10% of the number of electors of the area. In Pitt Meadows, there are 14,311 eligible electors; 10% equals 1,431.  For more information about the process and results, see pittmeadows.ca/voting-opportunities. 

The 10 metre strip of land along the eastern-most boundary of the impacted area will provide buffer space for any adjustments to the building design that might be needed as the project progresses. If it is needed, there are two options to keep the baseball fields whole:

Option 1:        Shift the baseball diamond 10 metres east to allow for sufficient room for the full size field without impacting play. 
Option 2:        Create an additional field at the Pitt Meadows Athletic Park (PMAP) as part of the eight acre amenity contribution negotiated by the City and provided by Onni. 

Preliminary discussions with Board Members of the Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball Association indicated they are supportive of either of these options and are looking forward to further discussions with the City as this project unfolds.

July 6, 2021 - The City of Pitt Meadows sought approval of the electors by alternative approval process (AAP) in accordance with Section 86 of the Community Charter. The question before the electors was whether they were opposed to the adoption of the Parks Designation Amendment Bylaw No. 2892, 2021, which removes the park dedication from 2,320 m2 of land directly north of the Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall as shown in yellow on the map below.  This exclusion was required to permit the development and construction of a new RCMP detachment on this site.

Following approval of  the electors, the bylaw was adopted by Council at the July 6, 2021 Regular Meeting of Council.  More information about the AAP process and results is available here. 

July 9, 2021 - Following approval of the alternative approval process (AAP), the City has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the design of the new Autonomous RCMP Detachment. 

November 26, 2021 - The Province of BC has granted approval for the City of Pitt Meadows to proceed with the creation of an autonomous detachment and to create and implement a transition plan. Read the full media release and watch the video announcement below.

November 30, 2021 - Council approved the recommendation to award to KMBR Architects Planners Inc for the design, tender, contract administration, and close-out for the new RCMP detachment and related projects . For more information, see the staff report and presentation to Council. 

On February 18, 2020, residents were invited to attend an Engagement and Priorities Committee meeting at the Heritage Hall to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback about the Police Services Review. Those who were unable to attend were invited to provide feedback online at haveyoursaypittmeadows.ca from February 19 to March 1.

62 percent of respondents from the feedback submitted indicated their support for an autonomous RCMP detachment. 18 percent of comments were undetermined and 20 percent did not provide support. The same feedback included concern for potential increases in property taxes as well as the cost and availability of resources. 

In June 2019, the City of Pitt Meadows launched a review of the City’s current police services model to examine how local RCMP resources can be deployed to enhance service and responsiveness to citizens in the community.

The City of Pitt Meadows presented the police services review and recommendations to the community on February 18, 2020. This followed the recent completion of the RCMP Polices Services Review by an independent consultant. 

The review examined three possible options:
1) Option One: Status Quo – maintains the current integrated Ridge Meadows RCMP Detachment model. There would be no change to service delivery.
2) Option Two: Service Level Agreement – maintains joint services model but with local leadership and more service and resources allocated to the Community Police Office in Pitt Meadows.
3) Option Three: Autonomous Pitt Meadows RCMP Detachment (recommended) – a more accountable independent RCMP detachment with services tailored to community needs.

Read the full report: RCMP Services & Structure Review Report.