City Council approves $135K for new police training facility at Ramsey Road

The City of Coeur d'Alene City Council convened on May 20, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the approval of a budget for a new police training facility and discussions surrounding the existing salt storage building.

The meeting commenced with a motion to approve Resolution 25-026, which allocated $125,000 for the construction of a pole building at the 3800 Ramsey Road campus. The motion received unanimous support from the council members present.

Following this, Chief of Police White presented a proposal for a new training facility for the police department. He highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the department in securing adequate training space, noting that previous attempts to utilize vacant buildings for training had been inconsistent. The proposed site for the new facility is the current salt storage building, which has been deemed unsuitable for its intended purpose due to structural limitations.

Chief White explained that multiple contractors had assessed the existing building and concluded that it would be more cost-effective to demolish it rather than attempt to modify it. The lowest bid for the new construction was approximately $135,000, which includes necessary site preparation and heating for winter training. Chief White assured the council that there are sufficient budgetary savings to cover these costs.

During the discussion, concerns were raised regarding the timing of the project and the potential for rising construction costs. Council members expressed a desire to ensure that the police department has the necessary training facilities to maintain officer safety and effectiveness. The council ultimately decided to postpone a final decision on the construction until the next meeting, allowing time for further evaluation and the gathering of additional information.

The meeting concluded with a motion to revisit the training facility proposal at the next council meeting, ensuring that all relevant details are addressed before moving forward. The council's commitment to enhancing police training capabilities was evident, as they recognized the importance of providing adequate resources for law enforcement in the community.