SOUTH HAVEN | It has been a long time coming, but members of the South Haven Fire Department officially will dedicate their new fire station Saturday.

The $1.5 million project combines a portion of the former fire station at the southeast corner of County Road 700 North and McCool Road with a new addition. The original portion of the station, constructed in the 1960s, and one of the two additions were demolished. A 1982 addition was incorporated into the new building. The station is approximately 10,000 square feet in size. The former engine bay has been incorporated into the new station as a training room.

The station will be dedicated to "all past, present and future members of the South Haven Fire Department who so unselfishly give of themselves in order to protect the community of South Haven and all that travel through it," said Fire Chief Doug Patton.

The dedication ceremony will begin at noon, with an open house continuing until 4 p.m.

Guests will include charter members of the department along with past chiefs. Patton said U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., will present the department with a flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol as part of the ceremony. State Sen. Karen Tallian, D-Ogen Dunes, and state Rep. Duane Cheney, D-Portage, also are expected to attend.

Speakers will include Portage Township Trustee Joyce Webster and Patton.

In addition, Porter County Sheriff David Lain will sing the national anthem and former South Haven Fire Chief Randy Wilkening will play the bagpipes. The new station will be blessed.

Patton said residents are invited to participate in a flower planting at the flag pole. Refreshments will be served and the public will be invited to tour the station.