WILBRAHAM  – For Police Chief Roger Tucker, the new police station is “absolutely stunning.”

The new station was officially opened on May 18. It was, as described by state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, “multi-decades in its formation”

Select Board Chair Susan Bunnell said the structure was “under budget and ahead of schedule” and since it sits next to the Fire Department makes up a public safety complex for the town.

Roger Fontaine, chair of the building committee for the project, explained to Reminder Publications the town’s residents voted to fund the new building in 2015.

“Virtually every department in town – everyone – participated in this fiscally sound building,” Fontaine said.

The building, including the land, the demolition of the existing home and site preparation, cost the town $7.75 million, Fontaine added.

He explained there has been discussion in town for at least 20 years about building a new police station however “it wasn’t taken seriously until 2014.”

Fontaine said the committee looked at a dozen locations in town for the station.

Bunnell said the former station was “simply inadequate for the needs of a police station.”

Speaking of the new station, she added, “Everything is top notch.”

The construction of the station is “a reflection of broad community support,” Bunnell said.

Tucker said the difference between the new and old station is a “night and day.”

He explained the old station was originally built as a school in 1904.  It eventually became the Town Hall with the Police Department in the basement. Eventually the department took over the building but it was not the best fit for it.

Tucker explained the new building was built with possible expansion of the department in mind.

“We built growth in this building,” Tucker said. The locker room, for example, has the capacity of additional officers.

The vehicles are now protected under a carport at the rear of the building.