Shadow Works and Engineering Minister Michael Dunkley has accused Government of being "a little mischievous" following claims the St. George's Police Station was completed under budget.

On Friday, Works and Engineering Minister Derrick Burgess told the House of Assembly the project cost around $650,00 – about $350,000 below budget.

However at a press conference in April, Mr. Burgess stated the reconstruction work would cost no more than $500,000.

"I do recall clearly the budget was supposed to be around $500,000. I was surprised to hear great applause to the fact that it was under budget. Obviously they forgot what the budget was or they got a little mischievous with their numbers," said Mr. Dunkley.

He continued: "Don't get me wrong, we support the Government in this initiative. We think this was the right thing to do. We feel strongly we can put a dent into crime with Police presence.

"We just want the facts. We just want to make sure people are clear where we are coming from."

This newspaper sent questions to Mr. Burgess to find out if the budget had been doubled or if the project actually went over budget, but those questions went unanswered.

Mr. Dunkley said while the Opposition supported the Government remodelling the Police station, the public deserved to know why it went over budget if in fact it did.

"From the very beginning, along with our St. George's representatives Kenny Bascome and Kim Swan who ran for the (United Bermuda Party) last election, you recall we said we thought the people of St. George's wanted a new station.

"It took a while for Government to get onboard and decide it was the right thing to do. When they did that, we supported renovations."

The Police station will be up an running in the new year according to Public Safety Minister David Burch, who on Monday accepted keys to the premises on behalf of the Bermuda Police Service.

Upgrades include new floors and wall tiling, rewiring, a new generator, new air conditioning, exterior masonry repair and painting, roofing repair and paint, millwork, new windows, acoustical ceilings, dry walling and provision of interview rooms.

The work, done by Bermuda Drywall & Ceilings Ltd., began in the beginning of September and took 12 to 13 weeks to complete.

The station will re-open early next year.