Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/292860
results [of evidence analysis] often end up in court, and it's tremendously important that the evidence is exam- ined, treated and retained in absolutely secure and top-quality conditions, so it's not challenged by the defence in a court situation," says Ortved. A computer lab, three classrooms and a gymnasium are available for training use. The new facility also has an indoor firing range – a boon to the police force, as bad weather generally pre- vents officers from training outdoors more than five months of the year. The building even boasts a military-grade VirTra firearms and use-of-force simu- lation lab, which Pannell believes to be the only one of its kind used by police in Canada. Incorporated into the new Head- quarters is the In Building Distributed Antenna System (iDAS) – a unique cel- lular and public safety communica- tions system. Designed for SaskTel by Comtech Communications Technologies Ltd., it provides an extension of cover- age and capacity into the building for public safety communications. Over 100 in-building antennas were strategi- cally located to provide adequate signal strength throughout the facility. In addition to being bigger and bet- ter, the new headquarters also looks a lot friendlier. The 24/7 public entrance is through a large, open lobby leading to an atrium with a suspended stair- case, awash with natural light thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows across the whole front wall. Meeting rooms, an aboriginal culture room and the gym- nasium off the lobby can be reserved by community groups, and a welcom- ing service desk handles enquiries and public records checks. The inviting design is a far cry from the imposing police stations of yore, and yet it's been a long time coming. Saskatoon embraced the community- policing model more than 20 years ago, says Pannell, and "now this new build- ing is a better reflection of our policing philosophy." For the exterior, landscape archi- tect Rob Crosby of Crosby Hanna & Associates was tasked with the chal- lenge of marrying security with a sense of neighbourliness. "I believe the words used were 'open and welcoming,' which to a slight degree might contradict another requirement that the building be able to effectively resist impact from a vehicle," he laughs. The design response was simple but effective: a public plaza space with raised planters at the public entrance protect the building from vehicular damage and make for a pleasing land- scape display. The back of the building – used for employee access as well as transporting evidence and detainees – is guarded by an eight-foot fence. "It's decorative steel rather than chain-link, so it's secure without being imposing," says Crosby. n Location 76 25th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan owner/deveLoper The City of Saskatoon architect CS&P Architects Inc. associate architect/ Leed consuLtant aodbt architecture + interior design construction manager EllisDon Corporation structuraL consuLtant Robb Kullman Engineering LLP mechanicaL/ eLectricaL consuLtant MCW Consultants Ltd. it/security/av consuLtant MP&P Engineering Landscape architect Crosby Hanna & Associates totaL project cost $122 million totaL area 390,000 square feet courtesy cs&P architects April 2014 /57 Saskatoon police Service Headquarters p54-57_Sask Police.indd 57 14-04-03 9:05 AM