The complex was first introduced as part of the 2015 Facilities Master Plan Update to allow public safety officials to train while on duty within city limits, according to the city’s website.
“Our first responders have the entire city behind them, and this investment shows our commitment to their safety and the safety of our residents,” Sugar Land Mayor Carol McCutcheon said in a Sept. 24 news release.
Zooming in
The new $9.6 million facility, which wrapped up construction this summer, includes an area to simulate in-home scenarios for both police and fire departments, with options to bring in smoke, loud music and live shooters with plastic bullets, Sugar Land Chief of Police Pete Lara said.
Additionally, the facility houses flexible classrooms, apparatus bays and specialized training areas, which have been used by law enforcement around the region for the past two months.
“Now we have a training facility of our own where we can keep folks in here, in-house, and the future of it is going to keep evolving,” Lara said. “We’re looking at the future of being an academy.”
The $2.5 million first phase, which was constructed over 2018 and 2019, includes an outdoor shooting range, Lara said.
What else?
Along with the new training complex, the police department received designation as a certified Texas Commission on Law Enforcement training provider this summer, according to the release.
What’s next
Phase 3, which was approved through the $350 million bond approved by voters last November, will include the construction of an indoor shooting range as well as fire training structures.
Design is expected to begin on the $32.35 million phase this fall and continue through summer 2026 with construction anticipated to start in mid-2026 and wrap up summer 2027, city officials said in an email.
Once Phase 3 is complete, the city will move on to the fourth and fifth phases, which will include the construction of a driving pad for vehicle training and an academy to host training.
