SASKATOON New Saskatoon Police Service headquarters combines security with an inviting environment $122 million project designed for the city's growth Photos from Shai Gil Fotography courtesy of CS&P Architects Canadian Design and Construction Report Saskatoon’s new police service headquarters opened in August, combining security, room for growth and envi- ronmental responsibility. Designed by CS&P Architects, in association with aodbt architecture + interior design, and constructed by EllisDon, the 390,000 sq. ft. $122 million headquarters re- places a previous location too small from the moment it opened its doors. The former headquarters, constructed in 1977, had been built for a staff of 300, went through three renova- Build For Life Armorcore 1/8 page 254-752-3622 armorcore.com tions over the years, and recently, with nine additional satellite locations, had to support a staff of 650. Saska- toon Mayor Donald Atchison says this proved inefficient and couldn’t support the city’s current and future growth. “The city is on a historic pattern with 4.2 per cent growth last year alone,” he said. “We didn’t want to get into the same situation with the new police headquarters so instead of designing this project to serve a population of 300,000 (the city currently has about 260,000 resi- dents), we’ve designed this to serve 500,000 or more. It is a 100-year headquarters,” he said. Atchison said the building has been designed to meet LEED Silver certification, as the city wishes to encourage environmentally responsible construction. “If we don’t practice what we preach, how can we expect private building owners to.” The new station, constructed on a reclaimed site in the city’s warehouse district, includes a state-of-the art forensics lab, property and evidence storage, an indoor firing range, a firearms training simulator, a detention cen- tre with more than 50 holding cells, a 911 call centre, a canine training facility, computer lab, three classrooms, a gymnasium and an aboriginal culture room. Many of these features will improve operations and — Continued on page 26 24 – Fall 2014 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report