Stratford’s Police Services headquarters could be barrier free next year.
At the Stratford Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) meeting on Tuesday, committee member Diane Sims said that Mayor Martin Ritsma and Police Chief Greg Skinner met with her last week about the long-standing issue of accessibility at 17 George St. West.
The building has steep front steps to access the front main office, but there is no way for anyone in a wheelchair, mobility scooter or other forms of transportation aid to ascend to the entrance without difficulty or by endangering themselves.
“We always go for coffee,” Sims told the AAC. “But (Ritsma) wanted us to meet in his office because he said that carries a certain weight and what I could take forward was the police station will be made accessible in 2024.”
The city's accessibility committee advises city council on the identification, removal, and prevention of barriers in the community, and it has long advocated for its renovation, to provide barrier-free public access.
“That's great news,” Roger Koert, chair of the AAC said. “And that lines up with one of our committee's requests for making the current police station accessible by 2024 so that is a good feeling for our committee to know that our voices are being heard.”
Money has been allocated but Sims said the exact amount would not be disclosed publicly at this time.
The funding will be brought up during next year’s budget deliberations, though it is expected to be passed ‘unanimously,’ Sims said.
Per a question from Peter Zein, member of the AAC, the exact plans for how it will be made accessible is not yet available. Koert clarified that whatever plans that are made will come to the AAC for their comments prior to anything moving forward.
Coun. Bonnie Henderson, representing city council, praised the news and the work that Sims has continued to do.
In an emailed statement to StratfordToday, Ritsma confirmed that the accessibility work at the police station will be deliberated on in the 2024 budget process, though said that the item will ultimately be up to council. Recommendations of the design and the tender posting will follow.
The AAC meets monthly to discuss and advise on accessibility issues facing the City. Their next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 3 at the Stratford Rotary Complex.
