The new state-of-the-art 100 Mile House RCMP detachment on Alder Avenue will be the site of a grand opening on May 7, starting at 1 p.m. and everybody is invited.
The new building, almost triple the size of the old detachment, has been “open” for business since last fall. The original grand opening was postponed because of the 2015 federal election and certain guidelines stated in the Privy Council.
"We want this to be a whole-community event,” says RCMP Staff/Sgt. Blake Ward.
“We are all very proud of our new building. We've invited retired members to share the day and have local and government dignitaries speaking at the event.”
The day begins with a symbolic march by RCMP members from the old detachment on Alpine Avenue to the new building. There will be a flag raising ceremony before the dignitaries begin their speeches.
Some highly regarded RCMP will be part of the ceremonies: Chief Superintendent Lesley Bain, officer in charge of North District RCMP; Chief Superintendent Ret. Rod Booth; and Deputy Commissioner Craig Callens, Commanding Officer of "E" division.
The local dignitaries invited for the celebration include Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall, Cariboo Regional District chair Al Richmond and Canim Lake Band Chief Mike Archie.
"We've arranged for some cadets to do our honour guard, and 100 Mile House Elementary School students will be singing O Canada, in both French and English."
"It's an honour for us that our old Chief Superintendent, Rod Booth will be piping in the RCMP."
The day includes a cake-cutting ceremony and Crime Stoppers members will offer barbequed buffalo burgers, and there will be a traditional dance by Canim Lake Band members.
Ward says there will be guided tours throughout the day.
"We tried to look into the future when planning this building, he says, adding the old detachment was so limited in space and in function.
“We wanted something for long-term retention, and we've got it."
The new detachment has designated rooms for victims, where there won't be a possibility of seeing their accused.
There are full-perimeter cameras and closed-circuit system inside that monitors everywhere. Ward says this holds the public and the RCMP members accountable.
"We tried to make this building as modern as possible, and for a smaller detachment, it's one of the first to have all this equipment.
"The storage alone is more than double in size from the old building and more secure. There is a lot of new technology in the building including a new DNA drying cabinet." He notes parking will be an issue because the festivities will take up a good portion of the detachments' parking lot. He adds arrangements have been made for people attending the grand opening to park at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
"People can then walk over or we will have a shuttle to transport them. This will be a nice community event."