Cathy Dobson/The Independent

Hours after the Sarnia Police Services board debated how to budget for major building repairs, the Ministry of Labour ordered the removal and reconstruction of the large staircase at the 39-year-old station’s front entrance.

The timing was purely coincidental, says board chair Kelly Ash.

Yellow caution tape now surrounds the stairs outside Sarnia Police headquarters and the public’s ability to enter the building is restricted to a ramp on the east side.

According to Ash, a contractor was injured several days earlier while working inside the building and that prompted a Ministry of Labour investigation.

“They came and immediately said those stairs need to be removed and reinstalled,” Ash said. “They are too narrow and
they don’t meet code. They are also cracked and allow water leakage.”

“Unfortunately, reinstallation of the stairs has to urgently go to tender. It could be expensive” she said. The city owns the building and is responsible for all repairs.

The condition of the stairs has been on the board’s radar for years but no money has been allocated to pay for repairs. A building fund reserve has only $400,000, Ash said.

It’s not as simple as removing and replacing the concrete stairs, she explained. The staircase is part of the building’s physical structure and forms part of the support for a gym in the basement.

Police Services Board heard that one estimate was received for $440,000, but that staff believe it could cost as much as $1 million to replace the stairs.

The board met on Zoom Aug. 13 to approve the 2027 operating budget so it could be sent to the city for final approval from city council late this year.

The board-approved operating budget sets a new spending record of $40.9 million for 2027 and reflects a 5.8 per cent increase over 2026. But it does not include any capital improvements. That’s a separate budget that will be debated by the board in September.

However, the condition of the stairway entrance was a central point of discussion.

“Those stairs are a death trap,” said Sarnia City/County Councillor and Police Board member Chrissy McRoberts. “If it is
going to cause a lawsuit… those stairs should be looked at. If we do nothing, we will put ourselves in a dangerous place.”

“Regardless, it will cost the taxpayers. If there is something that needs to be done right now, (police services) should pay it.”

“We don’t want to add more burden to the taxpayer, but we don’t want to overlook our responsibility to keep the building safe,” said Councillor Anne Marie Gillis. “It’s urgent…It needs to be done and it needs to be done now.”

Gillis asked if there may be upper-tier government grants available or if the city can borrow on behalf of Sarnia Police Services since the province dictates police boards can’t borrow money.

Acting Sarnia Police Chief Michael Federico said talks have already taken place with Sarnia CAO Chris Carter and other city reps to discuss urgent building repairs.

“We were met with a good reception, with the mayor too,” said Federico. “I think a solution can be found. The city is well-aware of our needs.”

It’s estimated SPS requires $2 million in total to maintain the police station. Priorities include an expanded sally port for
prisoner transfers, upgrades to an aging HVAC system and replacing the stairs.

A list of as many as 25 items is being prepared ahead of the board’s Sept. 24 capital budget discussions.

SPS 2027 OPERATING BUDGET AT A GLANCE

• Total budget going for council approval: $40.98 million;
• 5.81 per cent increase over 2026;
• increases SPS personnel to 218 from 215 including an inhouse mechanic, an inhouse electrician and a special constable for court services (mandated by province);
• 92.22 per cent of budget is salaries and benefits.