The Jacksonville Police Department’s new training facility appears to be weeks away from completion.
The project has been years in the making. Back in February, WLDS-WEAI News spoke with JPD Deputy Chief Chad Moore. He said “plenty of work” was already completed at the 200-acre shooting range by off-duty officers.
Moore explained the building, located south of Lake Jacksonville at 740 Hoagland Road, has been up for years, but didn’t have any plumbing or flooring.
WLDS-WEAI News toured the building on Thursday and according Sam Mansfield of Sambo’s Construction, all that’s left to do is paint, trim and put up cabinets.
“We framed the inside, dry-walled and put metal in the classrooms, bathroom and kitchen. We are pretty much finishing it out,” says Mansfield.
Mansfield says several visitors have made their way out to the new facility. The new complex features a kitchen, break room, two bathrooms, gun cleaning room, garage and classrooms.
Chief Tony Grootens says the shooting range has been used by Jacksonville Police for several years. Grootens plans to start hosting police training classes in early December for law enforcement throughout the region.
Grootens says the new facility will provide a boost to the community as well.
“What it is going to do for Jacksonville is bring classes in. Those people are going to stay in Jacksonville, eat in Jacksonville and fuel their cars in Jacksonville. It will certainly provide an influx to the economy. I’m thrilled to death with what I’m seeing,” says Grootens.
The shooting range is only open to law enforcment at this time.
Go to our WLDS-WEAI Facebook page to check out a tour of the new facility and shooting range.