APD training facility reaches completion
Published 12:01 am Friday, September 17, 2010
With the exception of the parking lot, the Andalusia Police Department training facility is complete.
Thursday, APD employees were busy bringing in furnishings to outfit the 7,500 square-foot building with tables, chairs and other office equipment.
Chief Wilbur Williams said city officials are now awaiting the building’s final inspection with the contractor.
“That will give him an opportunity to do the final walk-through and to go through the project’s punch list,” Williams said.
Williams said the building will host its first class before the end of the year.
“We don’t have a specific date set,” he said. “But we’re looking at a three-day multipurpose class for officers needing to get their hours in. We’re looking at doing something pertaining to legal issues, maybe some crime scene technique classes and things of that nature. We’ve already been in contact with several agencies who would like to attend.”
The facility, which is located off of Academy Drive, sits on a 15-acre parcel adjacent to the department’s firing range, where recent renovations have outfitted it with 20 pistol lanes and a rifle area and a “shoot” house used for close-quarters tactical training. Classrooms are outfitted with a television, whiteboard, retractable projector screen and complete computer hookups.
The $464,600 bid for the project was awarded in January. To fund the facility’s construction, the city will use a $259,822 grant for the facility and will finance the remainder through USDA at 4.475 percent interest.
![0917 APD training facility](https://www.andalusiastarnews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2010/09/0917-APD-training-facility-300x200.jpg)
Andalusia Police Department personnel unload tables, which will be installed inside the new APD training facility. | Stephanie Nelson/Star-News