The redevelopment of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) headquarters in St. John's continues with the awarding of a tender for the second phase of construction on the Fort Townshend property.

"Our government will invest nearly $30 million in phase two of this significant infrastructure project," said the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. "The awarding of the tender for the next step in the redevelopment of RNC headquarters at Fort Townshend will ensure the historic home of the RNC provides appropriate space for this growing police organization."

The tender was awarded to Olympic Construction of St. John's and consists of work to both the headquarters building and the annex building. Phase two of the project will include converting the headquarters' gymnasium into four floors of office space and the expansion of the front of the headquarters with two stories of office space, for a total of 45,000 square feet. This phase of the redevelopment will also include the completion of the firing range and the underground link between the annex and the main building.

"This next phase of construction for the redevelopment of RNC Headquarters will assist us in providing enhanced and specialized services to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador," said RNC Chief Robert Johnston. "This announcement will help ensure the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary continues to provide safer communities through policing excellence."

The first phase of redevelopment of the Fort Townshend site included the construction of a secure underground parking structure and an underground firing range, as well as the initial construction of the underground link between the annex and main headquarters buildings. The redevelopment is expected to be complete in 2014.

The Williams Government is investing $1 billion in provincial infrastructure this year, for a total infrastructure strategy valued at more than $5 billion over the next several years.

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