The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said they have broke ground on a new 12,000-square-foot training center and range in Cary for McHenry County police officers.
The sheriff’s office along with the McHenry County Board and the Village of Cary hosted the groundbreaking ceremony on April 26.
The McHenry County Regional Training Center Range will feature a firing range and classroom to support the training of McHenry County sheriff’s deputies and police officers.
Local officials were in attendance, including McHenry County Board Chairman Michael Buehler, Cary Mayor Mark Kownick and several McHenry County board members and local police chiefs.
Dr. Michael Love performed an invocation and thanked those who have worked on the planning of the facility.
McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman said the safety of the county’s residents is the sheriff’s office’s main goal.
“Today is an important day for not only McHenry County deputies and police officers but our citizens as well. Our main goal is, and always will be, the safety of McHenry County residents,” Tadelman said.
“With the development of our training center and range, we know we are taking the right steps to improve local training opportunities for our police. A well- trained officer means a safer community,” Tadelman said.
The facility, which will be located at 460 Cary Woods Circle in Cary, will include modern classroom space for approximately 35 people.
A firearm cleaning room, storage space and a 50-yard firing range will also be part of the facility.
“Having a local indoor facility will help to keep costs down for our department and other local agencies. Normally, McHenry County officers would travel across Chicagoland to attend important trainings,” McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Eric Ellis said.
“With a state-of-the-art range and training center, we can bring those trainings to us,” Ellis said.
The firing range, which is separate from the training center, is expected to open in late 2023.