New RCMP H Division Headquarters officially opens

by ecnationtalk on August 20, 20131207 Views

For immediate release

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, August 20, 2013 – A new era of policing begins today for theRCMP in Nova Scotia with the opening of its new, state-of-the-art headquarters in the Burnside Business Park. The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services officially opened the new H Division Headquarters in front of hundreds of employees, dignitaries and stakeholders.

The $113-million Crown construction project results in one of the most energy efficient buildings ever constructed by the Government of Canada and is a leading example of smart and environmental technologies.

“The Harper Government is incredibly pleased to officially open this new facility and we are especially proud that the project was delivered on budget and ahead of schedule,” said Minister Finley. “This is more than a building – it is an investment in the men and women of the RCMP, giving them the facilities and equipment that they need to keep safe streets and communities for Canadians and their families.”

The new headquarters embraces state-of-the-art technologies that will allow the RCMP to undertake sophisticated investigations with a focus on keeping citizens and communities safe and secure. By consolidating ten offices into this new building, H Division will become more efficient in its administration and operations, with a greater focus on its core mandate and enhancing the service it provides to Nova Scotians, keeping our streets and communities safe.

“The opening of this new headquarters is an important milestone for Nova Scotia’s provincial police force,” said Justice Minister Ross Landry. “Centralizing critical units like major crime investigators, dog units, bomb disposal units, emergency response teams and traffic patrols for our 100 series highways will contribute to safer communities in Nova Scotia.”

As Nova Scotia’s provincial police force, the RCMP provides federal, provincial and municipal policing to the province through 37 detachments and more than 1,500 employees. Located in Dartmouth’s Burnside Business Park, the new headquarters provides the RCMP with an environmentally efficient workspace that accommodates all headquarters staff from 10 offices in one facility. RCMP resources are strategically positioned at the new headquarters to initiate a fast and effective response in the event of an emergency or major incident anywhere in the province.

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Ce texte est également disponible en français.

For more information, media may contact:

Amber Irwin
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
819-997-5421

Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315

PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html.

BACKGROUNDER

NEW RCMP H DIVISION HEADQUARTERS
DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA

The new RCMP H Division Headquarters is one of the most environmentally responsible buildings ever constructed by Public Works and Government Services Canada, integrating numerous green elements.

Three Government of Canada initiatives were used in the design and site preparation of the new headquarters: sustainable development, which minimizes impact on the environment during the construction period and the future maintenance of the building;connectivity, to increase efficiency and security; and supportive work environments, to ensure employees have the space, tools and technology they need to be comfortable, productive and efficient.

Description

Five-storey building; site area: 6.5 hectares; gross floor area: 23,778 m²
Capacity: 512 RCMP and civilian employees
$113-million project (plus HST)—$59 million for construction; $54 million for project costs
Completed ahead of schedule: (anticipated completion date: December 2013; actual completion date: June 2013)

Highlights

The building’s long narrow shape allows natural light to penetrate to the interior and combines sustainable design features that represent a showcase for new, but proven, smart technologies, including: a reflective and green roof to reduce the amount of heat the building absorbs from the atmosphere; the use of natural light and sunshades to help moderate indoor temperatures; and the use of a recycled rainwater system to reduce water consumption.
Building registered with the Canada Green Building Council and designed to meet the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold benchmark
Maximized use of regionally available materials and materials with recycled content where possible
Elimination of materials with harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC) content, including cleaning materials, enhancing indoor air quality and minimizing the risk of allergies and health effects to occupants, including maintenance staff
Air quality monitoring system tests spaces for other harmful gases such as excess carbon dioxide that may impact occupant comfort and health
Maximized diversion of construction waste from municipal landfill; project established the first drywall recycling program in Halifax Regional Municipality
Net annual consumption of potable water for building operations significantly reduced through capture, storage and treatment of rainwater for building operations and water efficient fixtures
Measures to provide efficient thermal operation, including a high-performance building envelope, efficient mechanical systems, and utilization of Nova Scotia’s natural gas as the primary heating/cooling source; estimates of energy use indicate this building will be approximately 47 per cent more energy efficient than a building constructed to today’s minimum standards
Developed with careful control and monitoring of the potential impact of the construction site on the adjacent Spectacle Lake Wetland Reserve
A living green roof that covers nearly half the roof area, the largest in Eastern Canada, further mitigating the loss of habitat that the development of this site might otherwise have caused
Mixed-mode mechanical systems functions, utilizing sensors and operable windows allowing individual spaces to be naturally ventilated by occupants where possible
Provision of higher than normal day lighting levels in offices, and occupancy sensors to activate lighting only when it is necessary
Fully flexible furniture systems planned to accommodate future relocations without need for costly renovations
Future-proofed building cable management system, which as the work in the building changes, reduces need for duplication, redundancy and renovation construction waste
Shared spaces, including boardrooms, mailroom, business centres and training rooms, reducing the building’s footprint and operational costs
Site chosen and facilities provided with sustainable transport in support of healthy lifestyle choices
Locally sourced materials such as wood, brick, concrete, marble, sandstone, and granite used where possible

In addition to these technical enhancements, a memorial wall and garden, dedicated to the memory of RCMP members from H Division who have fallen in the line of duty, provides a formal focus in the building’s circular entrance pavilion. There is also a public exhibition area illustrating H Division’s history in Nova Scotia.