The North Bay Police Services Board has approved a request from Chief Shawn Devine to ask the city for a new police building.

We told you a few weeks ago that was 1 recommendation at a cost of around $20 million in a report before the board.

The other recommendations were to repair the current structure at a cost of $9 million or $15 million.

Devine feels a new building is the way to go.

“It’s the same decision you have to make as if you’re driving an older car. Do you want to continue putting money into something that’s going to cost you more money? Or maybe it’s time to facilitate a new purchase. The same thing with the building,” he says.

Devine says the next step is to meet with the city.

“I believe the next step is to have conversations with the Chief Financial Officer as far as having an RFP (Request For Proposals), finding a design consultant, consulting with the community, finding property,” he adds.

Devine says he’s looking at a 5 year process before North Bay gets its new police building.

North Bay Police have been in the current building since 1974.