As construction workers shook hands and exchanged greetings with government officials, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan stepped out into the cold October morning to welcome more visitors. People pulling into the public parking lot of the new Saline County jail were greeted with his smile and directions on where to park. His breath created a fog as he spoke through the 28-degree breeze. About 100 people gathered Tuesday at 800 Pacific Ave. in Salina to celebrate the opening of Saline County’s state-of-the-art jail facility. Remarks were made by nearly everyone who helped turn an idea into reality, and the ceremony was capped off by a thanks for the public’s $89 million investment and a ribbon cutting complete with giant scissors. “I’m more excited about people getting an actual tour, than I am of the ribbon cutting,” Soldan said. The Saline County community celebrated on Halloween what began two years ago, when on Oct. 21, 2021, the Turner Construction crew broke ground on some old farmland in north Salina. Since that time, the project kept within its voter-approved budget and finished within the original timeline for completion — a feat several public officials spoke about Tuesday.
Source: News – Salina Journal
