The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Foundation announces it has received the final installment of the Engelstad Foundation’s $8 million commitment for the construction of phase one of the LVMPD Reality Based Training Center at 7370 E Carey Road in Las Vegas.
With this final installment, LVMPD Foundation has realized $25 million of its $35 million phase one fundraising goal which covers costs for the design and construction of the first building and the shell of an indoor tactical training village.
To complete the build-out of the indoor tactical training village and the purchase of high-tech equipment, the LVMPD Foundation is working to raise an additional $7 million after Congress appropriated $3 million for the project.
The LVMPD Reality Based Training Center is a master-planned project designed to provide law enforcement and first responders with the nation’s most sophisticated highly technical reality-based tactical training. It offers access to unprecedented training capabilities with a focus on de-escalation tactics, active shooter incidents, including those with mass casualties, as well as training for natural disasters, including the simulation of responses to crises like the current COVID-19 pandemic. Eventually, it is envisioned the Center will be used by law enforcement throughout the country.
The first phase of the Reality Based Training Center includes two buildings. The first building spans over 50,000 square feet and includes administrative offices, four classrooms with a capacity to train 240 officers, mat rooms, and simulators. The second building is currently under construction and is a 130,000 square-foot structure that will house a state-of-the-art indoor, climate-controlled tactical training village with simulated venues including a gas station and convenience store, casino and hotel rooms, cell phone store, doctor’s office, restaurant, retail store, CrossFit gym, school with science labs and classrooms, and a grocery store. The indoor tactical village is designed to accommodate training for active shooter situations in lifelike settings.
“We see this investment not only making a positive impact on our community today, but on so many Americans for generations to come,” said Kris Engelstad, trustee of the Engelstad Foundation. “Southern Nevada is an invigorating place to call home, which certainly comes with its own unique challenges. This facility will equip our local heroes – and ultimately those throughout the country – with the skills needed to take these challenges head-on and with confidence.”
“Public safety is foundational to the wellbeing of our communities,” said Tom Kovach, executive director, LVMPD Foundation. “We are immensely grateful and appreciative of the Englestad Foundation which provided a transformative gift to get us to our goal of completing the first phase of this project. Their support means everything to the men and women of LVMPD, as well as to our valley’s more than 2 million residents and our city’s 42 million-plus visitors who expect and rely upon well trained officers to ensure public safety.”
Construction on the shell of the indoor tactical training village is expected to be completed by Spring, 2022. Planning for subsequent phases is underway with development timelines tied to additional fundraising.
