That is the conclusion drawn by a five-member working group of officials tasked with calculating the exact effects of moving the academy's Tallinn complex to Narva in mid-February.
The document that reached Minister of Internal Affairs Andres Anvelt this weekend is not brimming with optimism.
A team comprised of ministry chancellors and state real estate manager RKAS experts looked at four potential locations for the academy in the border town of Narva.
It turned out that the most financially sound option would be to construct the academy on a 45,000-square meter plot owned by the city on Puškin street for €47 million. The budget would include a 10,600-square meter study building, a student home for 720 cadets, as well as a sea rescue training pool, garages, and a bike shed on 1,100 square meters in total.
Tough for middle-aged cadets
The total cost of the move would exceed €53 million as the ministry would have to relocate the rapid response force of the Northern Police Prefecture currently based with the academy in Pirita, Tallinn. While sale of the plot in Pirita and support from the ASTRA measure can be used to cover some of the cost, €33.9 million would still have to be found from the state budget. That is €10-12 million more than previously estimated.