THE heavy downpour of rain in Ulster Spring, Trelawny did not dampen the spirits of the many dignitaries and residents who were on hand to witness Wednesday’s official opening of the community’s new police station.

Member of parliament Doreen Chen said it was a dream come true, adding that her years of ‘constant’ and forceful representation had finally borne fruit.

She noted that since she became the South Trelawny representative nearly four years ago, she has been trying to get a new station for the police officers stationed at Ulster Spring.

“This new station will now greatly boost the morale of the officers who will use the facility,” Chen said Wednesday.

And head of the Ulster Spring Police Station, Inspector Hugh Davis, told the Observer that the old structure on which the new station now stands was “one that was not suitable for living and working conditions”. He added that the roof was leaking, there were broken down sideboards and rotten floor.

During the construction period, operations at the station was transferred to a building on the grounds of the nearby Ulster Spring clinic.

Completed at a cost of $3.5 million, work on the new station began in August and ended nearly three weeks ago.

The facility consists of male and female dormitories, interview rooms, work stations, sanitary facilities, a canteen and an entertainment area.

Three cells on the compound were also refurbished and equipped with bathroom facilities during the construction of the new facility.

Meanwhile, minister of national security and justice, K D Knight announced at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, that ground will be broken soon for a new police divisional headquarters in Falmouth.

According to Observer sources, the new facility will be built on government-owned lands adjacent to the Trelawny Parish Library and should cost in excess of $16 million. “Already the drawings are in place and construction should begin in the near future,” the source said.