Regional councillors ‘concerned about affordability’ of WRPS comms centre
Posted Nov 27, 2025 07:27:42 AM.
Last Updated Nov 27, 2025 09:31:06 AM.
Some councillors are putting Waterloo Regional Police Service’s (WRPS) proposal under the microscope, raising concerns about the affordability of its Public Safety Communications Centre (PSCC).
That budget, which was recently approved by the WRPS Board, includes a proposed $22 million increase for next year. It is expected to cost the average taxpayer $57 on their property taxes.
The proposal includes plenty of information, like personnel increases, regional initiatives, equipment costs, and more. But regional councillors were more focused on the listed communications centre, along with the price tag of $173 million.
“I realize that the communications center will eventually be an asset for our community,” said Councillor Chantal Huinink. “I’m concerned about affordability at this point, and I’m wondering if other municipalities are bearing similar costs or if there are other funding partners that we can draw on, because I’m not sure that regional taxpayers can afford to pay for this.”
To those comments, Chief Mark Crowell with WRPS said the centre is not a “want” from the policing service, but has rather become a “need” to match the growth across Waterloo Region properly.
“What I would characterize is that we can’t afford not to pay for it,” Crowell said. “I would say to this council and largely to our community that I feel we take for granted the infrastructure that we require to be prepared for disaster and emergency, and the lights that need to run every second of every day.”
The proposed communications centre was approved by the WRPS Board, and is a 75,000 sq. ft., three-floor facility at the WRPS campus on Maple Grove Road.
Councillor Huinink wasn’t alone in voicing those concerns, with both councillors Natasha Salonen and Berry Vrbanovic echoing those same issues.
Vrbanovic asked if a compromise could be made, stating that the high cost of such a project could mean other programs and initiatives on a regional level may be caught in the crossfire.
“Do we put on hold a 400-unit housing project that we know, for example, will lead to better outcomes for 400 families?” asked Vrbanovic. “Or do we go ahead with this, but then something else is gonna need to give?”
Chief Crowell stated that the region needs a major course correction when it comes to how it has been matching the population growth. He said it’s been a subject that’s been ignored for too long.
“I don’t believe that the facility planning to this juncture, up until the new central division, has been sufficient. We are at our lengths in almost every facility, and I believe that to be a lack of a responsible growth strategy that has been implemented to this point.”
Crowell did state that he understands the issues stemming from those council members, saying he knows how difficult a time of year it can be when discussing the various needs of municipalities.
“When it comes to housing versus this project, I think this is a comprehensive conversation that we need to have. It’s not lost on me, the competing priorities.”
The finalized regional budget, including the policing portion, is still weeks away from being set in stone. The budget is currently expected to be finalized on Dec. 20.
