Offer accepted $950K for new Vermilion RCMP detachment

Vermilion Town Council carried a motion to accept a $950,000 offer from Public Services and Procurement Canada to purchase the four lots required for a new RCMP detachment.

“We’ve had this discussion for some time – looking for a new location for the RCMP detachment in our community. Working with K-Division we settled on these four lots east of All-Wheel Wash,” said CAO George Rogers.

With discussions carrying on since 2018, and the town wanting to see development, they decided to move the project ahead but agreed they may have to look at future projects more closely regarding list prices and market value.

Having outgrown their current location, the Vermilion RCMP has been looking for a new detachment site since 2018.

The town has been working to settle on a new location and now that they have one, the larger space will allow them to meet current building code requirements, as well as provide room for growing staff and a vehicle compound.

Rogers said they originally had a tentative offer of $1.1 million but part of the due diligence requirements were that they receive a market value appraisal.

“That appraisal came in at $919,000 and is a reflection of the market – we don’t have a strong market here or anywhere in the province,” said Rogers.

“This whole process is steeped in government procedures that dictate they pay close to market value. They are now willing to pay $950,000, and I don’t believe we have an opportunity to do much better than this.”

While discussing the issue, councillor Richard Yaceyko said in the future council may have to look at the price of rest of the lots to see if they will have to lower all of them. Rogers said this area has the most prime lots available in town, but that he may be right.

“I think this sale moving forward is great,” said Mayor Caroline McAuley.

“Although it is not a tax-generating business, we have been looking for a long time for a place for them to settle and we are happy to solidify their presence in our community.”