North Bay police chief assesses headquarters viability, considers future options

After being chief of North Bay police for almost a year, Daryl Longworth, says he has recognized concerns with the service’s current headquarters.

North Bay Police Chief Daryl Longworth is evaluating the current police headquarters to determine if the facility remains suitable for the city’s detachment needs. After nearly a year in his role, Longworth has identified concerns with the building, prompting a closer examination of its future.

Discussions about replacing or renovating the detachment have circulated for years. A 2017 report outlined three potential options: two involving renovations to the existing site and a third proposing the construction of a new facility. However, no definitive plans have been implemented.

“I really want to do the assessment first and really identify where the best spot is – not just for our needs, but where’s the best spot to put a building if we need to,” Longworth said.

“Can we expand on this footprint? Do we need a new building? Can we take an existing building and retrofit it to our needs?”

Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield echoed the need for a thorough evaluation.

“Once we have that assessment done of the building and we get an idea of what is needed, the space required will really help us understand the future of what a new build would look like,” she said.

Longworth estimates that the project, whether it involves renovations or a new build, could take between seven and ten years to begin. The assessment will play a critical role in determining the next steps for the North Bay Police Service’s headquarters.

No timeline for the assessment’s completion has been provided.