Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino, Vice Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board Pam McConnell and Mayor David Miller opened the new building |
A new era of policing was unveiled in the shell of an old building.
The automatic doors of the new 51 Division at Parliament and Front Sts. gracefully slid open to hundreds of people eager to take a look at the state-of the-art building's award-winning design.
Chief Julian Fantino said the building is a functional facility while still managing to keep its heritage and aesthetic.
The 51,400 square-foot facility is mostly housed within the façade of the abandoned Consumers Gas brick structure, originally put up in 1899.
The old division, in the heart of Regent Park, was built in 1957 and had long outlived its use.
"It was stretched to the limits as the community grew, so did its inadequacies," Chief Fantino said.
The building itself was dedicated to the memory of former Chief Harold Adamson, who served as a unit commander of the division.
"He was a model and mentor for many of us," the Chief said. "He was highly-principled, ethical and a tremendous leader."
Former mayor June Rowlands was on hand to accept a dedication of the community room in her honour.
The former civic leader was honoured for her past work as a social worker in the area and as a member of the 51 Division Community Police Liaison Committee.
"The new division embodies what she has done - bringing the community and police together," Toronto Councillor Pam McConnell said of Rowlands - the first woman on the Police Services Board.
McConnell was credited for her integral role in securing funding for the new building.
Mayor David Miller said the "beautiful building" is a friend to the community that "makes us all feel safe and be safe."
The Canadian Urban Institute recognized the development with its Brownie Award in 2003, for reusing a former industrial brownfield.
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