UBC is putting together a plan to redevelop the campus police and fire station site on campus.
Located on the east side of Wesbrook Mall north of W. 16th Avenue, the existing public safety building was built in 1982 and accommodates both Fire Hall No. 10 of the Vancouver Fire Rescue Services and the University RCMP Detachment.
Police and elected officials on campus have said rapid population growth has made existing facilities insufficient to serve the campus community.
As part of its Campus Vision 2050 plan, UBC’s Campus and Community Planning said it proposes to redevelop the five-acre site with purpose-built facilities for the RCMP and fire rescue services, childcare spaces, and new housing. These facilities will be located in a new public safety building and in separate buildings to be built across the site. Planners will also be including space for commercial uses.
The university says the existing building is aging and has “an inefficient layout” that impacts the site’s potential, while hindering the RCMP’s desire to grow and add more officers to the university detachment.
Last year, UNA board director Jake Wiebe expressed concern about the ability of emergency services to keep up with demand as the campus population grows and new residential buildings are added.
In an opinion piece published in The Campus Resident last year, Wiebe wrote, “Essential services form the backbone of any thriving community.”
“The UBC RCMP detachment has not increased its staffing levels since 2005. At that time, the population south of 16th Avenue was minimal. Today, this area alone likely exceeds 10,000 residents, yet the number of officers remains unchanged,” Wiebe added.
The proposal is still in its early stages, with planning expected to continue throughout the fall and winter.
The university is aiming to prepare a draft plan for public review and input in January 2027, with a finalized plan expected to be presented for approval to the UBC Board of Governors in spring 2027.
“The planning process will consider the design and layout of new police and fire facilities, where residential buildings and open spaces will go, space for childcare, commercial and office uses, [and] how people will move through the site and the necessary supporting infrastructure,” said Thandi Fletcher, a university spokesperson.
“The first phase of public engagement will run from Oct. 27 to Nov. 15, with a draft plan expected to be shared for review in early 2027,” she said.
As to how any new facilities would affect future emergency services, Fletcher said, “Decisions about staffing and service levels are made separately by the RCMP, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services and relevant government partners.”
In the meantime, public safety services will continue to operate from the existing site.
“Should the proposed redevelopment proceed, the RCMP will continue to operate from the existing university detachment while the new facility is under construction,” said a spokesperson with the B.C. government’s Policing and Security Branch.
Fire services will also continue to be provided from the existing site, added Fletcher.
Residents can receive updates on the project by visiting planning.ubc.ca.
AMIE BERNAERDT IS A FIFTH YEAR STUDENT AT UBC, MAJORING IN CREATIVE WRITING AND ANTHROPOLOGY. SHE LIVES IN WESBROOK PLACE.