A new $10.5 million firearms training center for the Houston Police Department is anticipated to open by early 2026, according to a June 5 news release.

What we know

The two-story, 44,000-square-foot facility will provide HPD a dedicated space for advanced training using the latest technology, techniques and best practices in law enforcement, per the release, including:

• Twenty 100-yard shooting lanes
• Life-like simulations
• Safety systems

Charlene Floyd, the executive director at Houston Police Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting HPD projects, police equipment and new technology, said in an email to Community Impact that the new facility is important for HPD as the Police Academy currently has only five lanes to train recruits.

“This project is a crucial investment in public safety,” said Tilman Fertitta, Houston Rockets owner and chairman of the board of the Houston Police Foundation. “We’re providing our officers with the best tools and environment to prepare for the challenges they face every day.”

How it happened

The new training center will be named “Ferititta Family Firearms Training Facility,” in honor of Feritta, who donated $2.5 million for the facility’s construction.

The facility will be located at 17000 Aldine Westfield, near HPD’s Academy Center and the Tilman Fertitta Family Tactical Training Center, another $10 million training facility that opened in 2020, according to previous Community Impact reporting.

According to the news release, the Firearms Training Facility will be entirely funded through private donations, with no tax dollars involved. Floyd said $6.5 million has currently been raised for the project so far.