A $51-million renovation of the customs building and the port of entry in Sault Ste. Marie was completed late last year, but this week saw an official opening ceremony to show off the newly-refurbished site.
It took 30 months to build and came with a hefty price tag, but the new port of entry facility into Sault Ste. Marie from the United States is getting rave reviews from the people who work there.
Patrick Deschene works for the Canada Border Services Agency.
"Having technology that we have that meets all of demands now, so we're moving on to the twenty-first century. That's the best part." said Deschene.
Denis Vinette is Associate Vice-President of Canada Border Services Agency.
"This is an important gateway. There is no other port on either side of Sault Ste. Marie for over 800 kilometres. It was important we modernize and expand and that we position to be able to render border services and Canadian services in a way that is expected for now and for the future." said Vinette.
Construction was finalized in December, but the unveiling was for the media and local dignitaries.
The new facility has a warehouse with three bays that allows officers to search vehicles and the government also expanded the booths from five to seven, with a goal of decreasing wait time.
Next comes hiring more staff to help service them.
"Well, through retirements over the next few years, increasing staff, we would probably be looking at hopefully getting an additional six to eight employees over the next few years." said Deschene.
The new building is roughly four times larger than the previous one and the port of entry is currently in the top 20 largest commercial ports in the country.
