The Calgary Police Service (CPS) is hoping to purchase a 627-acre parcel of land within Rocky View County for a police training facility.
The proposal, which will be brought before Rocky View County council on July 6, is to purchase four quarters of what is now agricultural land between Conrich and Chestermere.
The proposed facility is less than 15 minutes away from the new CPS Westwinds Campus, just off of McKnight Blvd.
“We have to find a facility; it is critical for policing,” said Deputy Chief Jim Hornby. “This location is ideal. It is close to Calgary and it is easy to get the officers out here (for training) and get them back to work.”
Currently, the CPS does not have dedicated stables for its horses, an outdoor shooting range, a render safe area, used to diffuse explosive devices, or an adequate track for driving instruction. Officers must travel outside of the jurisdiction to receive adequate training.
The facility will include all of these and will be used by the mounted unit; the tactical team, the firearms training unit, and by CPS recruits.
“An officer has to have a certain proficiency, without it the officer is at greater risk,” said Hornby. “It keeps them sharp and confident in whatever they are doing. Therefore they provide a much higher level of safety for the public.”
Less than half of the land will be used in order to provide significant space between CPS facilities and neighbouring land.
The CPS is currently gathering information from the public before making any concrete plans. To that end, it hosted an open house at the Chestermere Regional Recreational Centre, June 17.
So far, public reaction to the proposed facility has been positive, said Nichole Stewart, communications advisor for CPS.
However, some concern has been raised about noise, traffic and safety, she said.
“They are valid concerns and we want to make sure every one is heard,” said Stewart.
CPS plans to mitigate sound as much as possible. Berms would be built around the facility and the audible features of training vehicles will all be on the inside, so sirens and other noises associated with police instruction will not bother neighbours.
Stewart said it would be safer living next to the facility than it is living by a golf course, as the facility will include many safety features.
“You would be more likely to be hit by a golf ball,” she said.
The shooting range would be used during daytime hours and would most often be used for small groups of between 10 and 15 officers.
For more information about the proposed facility, call 403-206-8442 or visit [email protected]
