The front entrance at Stratford Police Headquarters is getting a facelift.
City council on Monday voted to move forward with an accessible entrance ramp.
The overall administration of justice building includes Stratford Police headquarters facing George Street West, and the Ontario Court of Justice, with an entrance on St. Patrick Street.
Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma acknowledged the old building needs repairs and upgrades and conversations are continuing to move that along. The front entranceway to police headquarters has long been difficult to access for some.
“I know it’s on the radar of our police services board…it’s a ramp that serves the purpose for now.”
City council accepted a staff recommendation for a low tender of $162,000 for the project, which will reduce barriers to accessibility for members of the public accessing the George Street West side.
Council approved a budget for the project back in February.
The city’s community services department consulted with an engineering and design company to design an accessible ramp and barrier free entrance, to ensure the city complies with legislation.
The city’s accessibility advisory committee supported the design.
Discussions have been ongoing about building a new HQ for police or renovating the existing building but police leaders have expressed a desire to keep HQ downtown.
