Official openings and sod-turning ceremony at the RCMP Academy

REGINA – Sept. 14, 2009 — Today, RCMP Commissioner William J.S. Elliott presided over a number of official ceremonies at the RCMP Academy, “Depot” Division. These projects support excellence in training, facilitate a wider range of learning opportunities and accommodate the evolving needs of the Cadet Training Program.

Events included the ground-breaking ceremony for the Fort Dufferin Dorm, which is the first of three dormitories to be constructed at the Division in the coming years; the official opening of the Division Mess; the re-opening of the renovated Drill Hall; and the opening of the renovated Centennial Building, home to the Simulators Training Unit and a 225-seat lecture hall.

“The time had come to refurbish or replace existing facilities at ‘Depot’. Some, such as the Division Mess, had become functionally obsolete, while others no longer served the needs of the Academy,” stated Commissioner Elliott. “Where and when possible, we made the best use of existing facilities and in some cases are putting them to a new use, as in the case of the former RCMP Centennial Museum.”

For his part, “Depot” Division’s Commanding Officer, Assistant Commissioner Roger L. Brown, welcomes the new additions. “The Regina site is an integral aspect of the RCMP’s training mandate. Our goal is to ensure that facilities celebrate not only the values, the history and the traditions of the RCMP, but also meet the present and future needs of the Cadet Training Program.”

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For further information:

Marie R. Patterson
Communications & Events Management Services
RCMP "Depot" Division
306-780-5707
306-537-1307 (cellular)