Minister opens refurbished Westport police station

Police Minister George Hawkins today opened Westport’s newly refurbished police station.

“The upgrade will greatly improve working conditions for the 11 staff who have previously had to endure extremely cramped surroundings,” Mr Hawkins said.

The working life of the still structurally sound building should be extended by approximately another 20 years following the $176,000 upgrade, he said. The station had not had been significantly altered or refurbished since it opened early in 1962.

The improvements included refurbishment of the public counter, office and staff accommodation, as well as a new security system including card access and intruder detection facility. Approval for new heat pumps and an air conditioning system was currently being processed, after the removal of a coal-fired boiler and heating pipes.

The Labour-led government was investing around $12m annually to refurbish and rebuild police stations nationwide, with work on Manurewa, Howick, Invercargill, and Oamaru stations soon to be completed.

“Spending around $60 million over five years to rebuild and refurbish police stations represents a solid police capital works programme that is designed to ensure staff enjoy comfortable working conditions,” Mr Hawkins said.

The main contractors on the Westport site were Greymouth builders Chris Yeats Ltd, working to a design by Christchurch architects OPUS International Consultants.

Mr Hawkins congratulated them and Project Manager Derek Coffey for bringing the project together on time and within budget.

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