Regional Public Safety Firearms Training Center

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The Regional Public Safety Firearms Training Center (commonly referred to as the Regional Firearms Training Center) is an indoor firearms range constructed jointly by the University of Virginia, Albemarle County, and Charlottesville for police training activities. The 19,054-square-foot building is located on a portion of the Milton Field property, owned by the University of Virginia. The building includes two 50-yard firing ranges and a classroom with sufficient space to practice hand-to-hand combat, de-escalation, and other interpersonal scenarios. The building's design included features to assist in managing lead and heavy metal dust and debris, including air filtration systems and weapons cleaning areas. Local officials held a dedication ceremony for the completed building on May 12, 2016, and expected that the three jurisdictions’ police officers would be able to begin using it by June 2016. [1] [2] [3]

The building was designed by Clark Nexsen.[4] The design was intended to mitigate the concerns of local residents, who had expressed concern about the impacts of the facility on the surrounding area, including the Glenmore subdivision. [5] [6] Prior to construction of the building, the University of Virginia police department used an open-air firing range on the same Milton Field site, creating noise which was easily audible from Glenmore.[6] At the time of the indoor range's opening in 2016, local media reported that the building was soundproofed to reduce gunfire noise down to 40 dBA, equivalent to distant car traffic or wind rustling leaves.[3]

An initial decision to locate a public safety firing range outdoors in Keene was overturned by the Board of Supervisors in August 2013 after an outcry from southern residents of the county. $2.9 million in funding for the project was granted to the county from the Virginia attorney general's office.[7] Neighbors and the Piedmont Environmental Council were opposed to the Keene site because it was in the county's rural area.[8]

On April 6, 2021, Albemarle County published notice of their intent to award a contract for lead abatement at the Regional Firearms Training Center to Waco, Inc. This award followed an invitation for bids issued on February 15, 2021, with a scope of services that included periodic cleaning of the firing range and supporting areas. The invitation for bids stated that the contractor would provide documentation concerning the disposal of the fired bullets and other lead-tainted waste materials removed from the building.[9]

References

  1. Web. Partners in arms: City, county and UVA cut ribbon on indoor firing range, Lisa Provence, C-VILLE Weekly, Portico Publications, May 17, 2016, retrieved August 13, 2021.
  2. Web. Area’s police forces get ‘the perfect environment to shoot in’, Lauren Berg, Daily Progress, Berkshire Hathaway, May 12, 2016, retrieved August 13, 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Web. Gun firing range ready for use in Albemarle County, WCAV-TV CBS19, May 12th, 8:49 PM EDT 2016, retrieved March 16, 2021.
  4. Web. Albemarle County Firearms Training Facility, Clark Nexsen Public Safety and Shooting Sports Facilities, retrieved August 13, 2021.
  5. Web. Officials tout noise-abating features of proposed Milton firing range, Daily Progress, Berkshire Hathaway, July 17, 2014, retrieved August 13, 2021.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Web. Glenmore residents voice concerns over proposed Milton firing range, Aaron Richardson, Daily Progress, Berkshire Hathaway, May 22, 2014, retrieved August 13, 2021.
  7. Web. State gift will go a long way toward police firing range, J. Reynolds Hutchins, Daily Progress, Berkshire Hathaway, December 22, 2013, retrieved December 30, 2013.
  8. Web. City, county reiterate support of Keene shooting range, Aaron Richardson, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, November 10, 2012, retrieved November 29, 2012.
  9. Web. Lead Abatement Services: Regional Firearms Training Center, RFP Number 2021-059-IFB-03313, Albemarle County, Albemarle County, April 6, 2021, retrieved August 13, 2021.