The Georgetown City Council and GPD have been working on PSOTC facilities since 2010.
"In the original plan, we had a lot of dialogue with council about a firearms range," said Assistant City Manager Wayne Nero, who was also formerly the city's police chief. "We just were not sure we had enough money at the time to execute it."
After the approval of a bond in 2011 and a construction start in 2013, GPD moved in 2015 to its new campus, which houses the police headquarters, fire administration, emergency operations, a communications center and several training components, such as the tactical building, a slow-speed driving track and an obstacle course.
In FY 2021-22, council allocated funds to complete Phase 2 of the PSOTC, which includes the firing range as well as a propane burn tower for the fire department.
Nero reported that the maximum estimated cost for the range is $5 million, including $2.8 million for construction and $2.2 million for equipment.
The 50-yard hybrid firing range will be approximately 200 feet by 76 feet and enclosed by concrete walls and a baffled steel ceiling. The range will have 15 shooting lanes, ranged for pistol and rifle fire, with an appropriately sized bullet trap, acoustic sound dampening paneling, a target control system, storage systems, props, a weapons cleaning machine, an air compressor and clearing barrels.
The project will go out for bid in March with an expected completion date of June 2023.
"We have been blessed to have a very supportive council and community, and we don't take it for granted," Nero said.
