York Regional Police says it is running out of room at its Aurora headquarters, where more than 1,000 members park in a facility that is already “over 100 per cent capacity.” At a police services board meeting held Wednesday, officials said the headquarters has about 800 parking and garage spaces, roughly 200 of which are reserved for fleet vehicles. As the service continues to grow, police say finding more room has become a top priority, leading to both immediate measures and long-term expansion plans. In the short term, York Regional Police says it plans to expand into 17150 Yonge Street. Roughly 12,000 square feet on the eighth floor is expected to become available, easing some of the pressure at the headquarters. The service says it’s also expanding into 90 Bales, which officials hope will create additional room. Police say they are exploring temporary parking arrangements with nearby businesses and have reached an agreement with the Town of Aurora to allow on-street parking. The service says those measures are only a “temporary solution.” Looking further ahead, York Regional Police said during Wednesday’s meeting that it would prefer to own rather than lease additional space, giving the service more control as it plans for its facility needs over the years to come. Those plans could include expanding parking at headquarters to accommodate more members and potentially purchasing neighbouring properties to create extra space for vehicles. The concerns stem from the service’s 2025 review. Board members emphasized the need to move quickly on potential land acquisitions, noting that delays could leave the service facing higher property costs. The chief has now been directed to enter more formal discussions with neighbouring property owners and other partners as the service considers its next steps, with an eye toward long-term stability over a 20-year horizon.
