Dignataries from the City of Bradenton joined the School District of Manatee County on Thursday to celebrate an investment in the protection of our community for years to come.
Police Chief Melanie Bevan, Mayor Gene Brown, Superintendent Cynthia Saunders, MTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Jay Romine were among the guests at the groundbreaking for the Manatee Technical College - City of Bradenton Police Firing and Driving Range.
The new law enforcement training facility will be built on 70 acres in rural Manatee County, near Taylor Road in Myakka City.
It's a $4.7 million project that consists of a pistol range, a rifle range, a simulated shooting house, a driving pad, and a new building that contains a classroom, offices and more.
In 2020, the Florida Legislature, led by Senate President Bill Galvano of Bradenton and supported by Rep. Tommy Gregory, appropriated $2 million for the firing and driving range and Gov. Ron DeSantis provided final approval for the project. That funding, along with local sales tax proceeds, paid for the project that broke ground Thursday.
Bradenton Police Department officers and students from the Law Enforcement Academy at Manatee Technical College will utilize the property.
The architect for the project is Fawley Bryant, and the construction manager is A.D. Morgan.
It's expected to be finished in Summer 2024.
