City explores regional 20-lane tactical range; retrofit at Redwood Elementary could halve costs
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Summary
Staff proposed a 20-lane, 50-yard Rocky Mountain Tactical Training Range to address valley-wide police training shortages, citing an initial $14–15M price tag or a $7.5M retrofit at Redwood Elementary in partnership with Granite School District that would offer preferential scheduling and halve the cost and avoid using City land.
West Valley City staff told council the valley has a shortage of rifle-capable, scenario-capable and year-round police training space and proposed a Rocky Mountain Tactical Training Range that would provide 20 indoor lanes, ballistic ceilings, vehicle-accessible scenario space, classrooms and storage.
Harold said a ground-up build was preliminarily priced at $14–15 million but that a partnership with Granite School District to retrofit the vacant Redwood Elementary campus could reduce the city’s cost to roughly $7.5 million. The partnership, staff said, would give Granite PD preferential scheduling in recognition of their facility adjacency and reduce the city’s need to use scarce West Valley-owned land.
Staff framed the facility as beneficial regionally: many valley agencies now train at West Valley’s facilities and at Murray PD’s range, which staff said is often booked months in advance. Harold told the council that HB 84 (the 2024 school-guardian bill) expands training needs for guardians and school staff, increasing demand for range time.
Funding options presented included state and federal grant discussions, private foundation interest (Larry H. and Gail Miller Foundation), potential federal support via congressional contacts and conventional bonding. Staff emphasized the usual funding challenge with multiple potential funders waiting on which partner will commit first.
Council members expressed support and asked about rental or cost-sharing with other agencies; staff said other agencies already send personnel to West Valley training and that a fair-cost rental model could recover operating costs without profit.
Next steps: pursue the Granite School District partnership, continue grant conversations at the state and federal level and evaluate bond and lease options.
