Wasilla Police Department celebrates grand opening of new facility with community

WASILLA — The Wasilla Police Department hosted a grand opening ceremony for their new facility with the public Wednesday.

Located at the original Iditarod Elementary School site, the newly constructed WPD building is twice the size of the department’s current location off the Parks Highway.

“It’s a beautiful building,” WPD Chief Joel Smith said.

Wasilla residents supported the $12 million project with a voter-approved one percent sales tax increase that went into effect in January of 2018.

Smith was thrilled to see so many residents show up for the grand opening ceremony and subsequent tours around the facility. He thanked the public for making this historic milestone for the city possible.

“It’s overwhelming. The support from the community is just phenomenal,” Smith said.

WPD has been in the same location for almost 20 years, according to Smith. He said it will take about a month to fully move into the building. He noted that MATCOM Dispatch will still reside in the original building and they will have the capacity to carry dispatch at their facility should the need arise.

Smith said one of the most exciting benefits to having double the amount of space available is the new training rooms. He said the building’s current design will be a major boost to their overall training efforts with the ability to upgrade and expand in the future.

“We’re going to be able to embrace the changes in technology a lot easier here, because it’s built with that in mind,” Smith said.

Smith said another major perk to the new space is the onsite exercise. Officers can utilize the locker rooms and gym equipment whenever they like.

“It’s not large, but it has everything our officers need to stay fit. If officers are fit, they’re more healthy, the less days they need on sick leave, and they’re more prepared for their normal routines,” Smith said.

Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle was not only present for the ceremony, he was one of the tour guides happily strolling through the halls with small groups of people. He said it was great seeing all these different government agencies, businesses, groups and private residents all come together.

“I think everyone was ready,” Cottle said. “I want to applaud them. They helped pay for that building. A lot of people had to come together.”

For more information, call 907-352-5401 or visit cityofwasilla.com/departments/public-works/projects

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com