Sheryl Kimbley, Chair of the Prince Albert Board of Police Commission, is joined at the ribbon cutting by Police Chief Jon Bergen, Mayor Greg Dionner, PAGC Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie, Elder Jacob Sanderson. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community safety

‘I believe this will change the face of the downtown’: new police substation now open

Nov 19, 2019 | 2:16 PM

The cutting of a thick line of yellow police tape helped mark the official opening of the Prince Albert Police Service’s new downtown substation.

The building which used to house the Conexus Credit Union, was bought by the police service earlier this year, and will now help house several departments including bylaw, child protection, and victims services.

Police Chief Jon Bergen told paNOW victims are traumatized by crime, and the police service strives to be as sensitive as possible to them, and the situation they have experienced.

“Coming here where there is no criminal arrests, there’s no offenders housed, a different environment for them to enter into so they can work with the appropriate resources and start that healing sooner,” he said.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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Representatives from city hall, social services, the prosecutor’s office and Prince Albert Grand Council were among those on hand for the grand opening celebration. Bergen expressed how thankful he was for the community support.

“I think that the community recognizes that there’s going to be great things that happen because we are going to be here downtown in this specific location. We are in the heart of the city and we are going to be visible,” he said.

A large crowd turned out for the opening of the substation. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Sheryl Kimbley, chair of the Prince Albert Board of Police Commissioners, was among the dignitaries on hand to provide opening remarks. She expressed how impressed she was by the size of the 15,000 square foot space, noting how when she took a tour of the 15th street police station, how crowded it felt for her.

“I believe that a good home builds good children and I believe that a good work environment builds good workers,” she said.

Sheryl Kimbley. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Kimbley also expressed how warm and inviting the building felt to her, adding she was “tired” of hearing people say how terrible Prince Albert is and what it doesn’t have to offer.

“When we do that, we are teaching our little ones to disrespect where they live and love. We need to raise them stronger. We need to make them understand Prince Albert is a place we can love and we can respect,” she said.

The new substation includes space where officers can work out. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Elise Hildebrandt, chief executive officer of the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce told paNOW she thought the new substation would be warmly received by the businesses in the area.

“Everybody always feels better knowing there is a police presence and you can call out for help,” she said.

Mayor Greg Dionne thanked all the people who made the project possible under budget. He noted the opening marked the first of several big changes in the downtown which includes the opening of the University of Saskatchewan campus next year. He also mentioned the sale of the Daily Herald building, which will be converted into a “state of the art office building.”

“People will feel welcome and warm when they come into this building,” Dionne said. “I believe this will change the face of the downtown.”

No grand opening is complete without cookies. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell