The next step in the redevelopment of the historic home of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) at Fort Townshend is approaching with the tender call for work associated with phase two of the project. The Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, along with Chief Joe Browne of the RNC made the announcement today.

"Through the Provincial Government's $800 million infrastructure commitment in Budget 2009, nine million dollars was committed to redevelop the historic home of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary at Fort Townshend and I am pleased to see this work continue," said Minister Collins. "Over the course of the past year we have seen significant progress and with this current tender call we are continuing the important work needed at this site."

The next phase of construction consists of work to both the headquarters building and the annex building. Included will be the conversion of the headquarters gymnasium into four floors of office space, expansion of the front of the headquarters with two stories containing 20,000 square feet of office space for a total of 45,000 square feet, the completion of the underground link between the annex and the main building, mechanical and electrical work which will support the highly efficient heating plant for the complex and a new air-handling unit. In accordance with the Provincial Government's Energy Plan, the redevelopment will conform to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for green buildings which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall operational costs.

"Fort Townshend has been the home of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary since 1871," said Chief Browne. "The renovations currently underway will continue the process of providing the men and women of the RNC with a state of the art headquarters and address the needs of a modern and growing police force."

The first phase of redevelopment of the Fort Townshend site included the construction of a secure underground parking structure, an underground firing range as well as the initial construction of the underground link between the annex and main headquarters buildings. It is expected that this phase will be completed in June, 2010 with phase two beginning shortly afterwards. Once complete in 2013, the redevelopment of Fort Townshend will include a significant amount of additional office space and more appropriate amenities for a growing and diverse workplace.

"Our government has invested significantly into policing in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Collins. "Not only is this investment evident in the work ongoing at Fort Townshend but also by the increased number of police officers throughout our province. We will continue with these efforts and I look forward to the completion of this important project for the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and seeing the desired improvements to this historic site."

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