2 cities break ground on public safety training facility

By Tiffany Gibson

Thursday, April 1, 2010 | 6:32 p.m.

Henderson and Boulder City officials got a first glimpse of a new training facility for firefighters and police officers Thursday during a groundbreaking ceremony.

The Eldorado Valley Regional Public Safety Training Facility, located south of the U.S. 93/U.S. 95 interchange, will be built on about 250 acres and will provide training for both Henderson and Boulder City public safety workers.

“This project has been a dream for 10 to 12 years,” Boulder City Police Chief Thomas Finn said.

Henderson Police Lt. Rob McCorkle said the facility will cost about $2.75 million for the first phase. He said it will offer various training courses, including repelling towers, emergency vehicle tracks and shooting ranges. It will also have two classrooms.

Boulder City Manager Vicki Mayes said the city began planning for the facility in 2001 and became partners with Henderson last year. She said Boulder City had the land available and the city of Henderson contributed about $1 million.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid helped to secure $1.5 million for the facility.

“It’s really wonderful that these two cities are joining together,” he said. “Henderson needed land and Boulder City had land. This is a great facility.”

After tossing dirt on the site, Reid and Rep. Dina Titus went for a ride around a track in a Henderson Police SWAT vehicle.

Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers said the city also plans to set up shooting ranges that will strengthen officers’ safety skills. Officials are building the facility in phases as funding becomes available.

Boulder City Councilman Cam Walker said the facility would reinforce the importance of emergency vehicle training, especially at a time when the Hoover Dam Bypass could carry additional traffic through the area.

“It’s a place where emergency and response teams can call home,” he said.