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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 26, 2010 · 4 New police station built for the future By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF More room and the latest in policing technology are the two main reasons Halton police are saying their new Oakville Police Station, located at 95 Oak Park Blvd, is headand-shoulders above their old -- now boarded up -- station on White Oaks Boulevard. The new 70,000-sq.-ft. facility, which had a construction budget of $14.1 million, was officially opened with a ceremony on Thursday afternoon at which numerous dignitaries, including Halton Police Chief Gary Crowell, Halton Regional Police Board Chair Robert Maich, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Halton Region Chair Gary Carr, spoke about the importance of the new station. "Looking at the state-of-the-art facility, I cannot help but think where we came from. It is almost hard to believe that 40 years have passed since the Town of Oakville Police Service first moved into our former facility on White Oaks Boulevard," said Crowell. "Considered cutting edge in 1967 that location met our needs well for many years, even serving as our first regional police headquarters after amalgamation in 1974. As policing evolved and changed over the years, so did our facility needs. Eventually, the former Oakville station was stretched MICHELLE SIU / OAKVILLE BEAVER NEW BEGINNINGS: Flags are unfurled at the official opening of the new Halton Regional Police station in Oakville. The station is located in Oak Park on Dundas Street. beyond its capacity and became functionally outdated." Construction began on a replacement for this police station in July 2008 with Crowell saying the location was strategically chosen to serve both established and developing areas of Oakville. Maich said the decision to approve the funding for the new station was not made lightly by the board. "We requested that this station be designed, of course, with an eye to the bottom line as fiscal responsibility is essential in these economic times. At the same time, it was also important that there was sufficient capacity to address not only the current, but future policing needs of a dynamic, growing community," said Maich. "On behalf of the board, I can say that after years of analysis and planning, the end result has exceeded our expectations. This new Oakville facility is designed to serve us well over more than the next 30 years." The new station is home to almost 300 Halton Regional Police Service employees and houses a number of regional investigative services including the Guns and Gangs Unit and Domestic Violence Unit. Among the changes in the new station are more men's and women's locker rooms. At the old White Oaks Station, a converted storage room served as the women's locker room since Oakville had few, if any, female police officers when that station opened in 1967. The new station also features more rooms where police can conduct interviews and a modern holding area consisting of 15 individual cells. Each cell is individually heated, which police say is important because in the previSee Station page 11 Grand Opening e, get ready for a different kind of experience! Calliope Salon & Spa is currently open for business and our Grand Opening Event will take place on May 27 from 5-8pm. We are a chic destination dedicated to going beyond the everyday salon experience to provide you with expert flair and effortless style. From our luxurious, European inspired interior to our talented staff, Calliope will make you feel like royalty the moment you set foot inside our exquisite new studio. Celebrate the arrival of summer by attending our Grand Opening where you can partake in complimentary hair and facial consultations as well as makeup applications from our new mineral based cosmetic line. Enjoy refreshments and appetizers and meet our talented staff. All guests will be eligible for to win one of our great giveaways including a half day at the spa. 360 Dundas St. E., #B1 Oakville, Ontario (905) 257-9911 www.calliopesalon.ca