VALPARAISO | Members of the city's Police Department are counting the days until they can move into their new, state-of-the-art facility, which is nearing completion just a few blocks away.

"We're all looking forward to having a new facility. ... We've outgrown our (current) facility," Police Chief Michael Brickner said.

Brickner said the department plans to have open houses to show the taxpayers what their dollars were spent on when the station opens, likely in late October.

One of the greatest additions to the new facility, Brickner said, is the 32-by-60-foot training room that will allow the department to host training seminars or conduct large-scale training exercises with its officers.

The new station also features a large workout room that Brickner hopes will encourage members to exercise and, as a result, be sharper physically and mentally.

The interior walls and ceiling are mostly finished. The department chose tan and dark blue as the interior colors. The blue carpeting is expected to be installed soon, and the exterior finishing is under way.

When completed, the building, which is just south of the current station at Indiana and Franklin streets, is expected to meet the department's needs well into the future. Among other features are numerous interview rooms, a roll call room, conference rooms for every division within the department, a huge evidence room and a heated garage.

"There was a lot of effort and time put into layout," police spokesman Sgt. Michael Grennes said.

"It's all on one level, which is nice, too."

Grennes said the new station has ample parking, something the current one lacks. The city bought two lots near the new station in case expansion is needed in the future, he said.