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County selects AgCenter-adjacent site for phased fire-rescue training center; AgCenter advocates voice preservation concerns
Summary
Staff recommended phasing a new fire-rescue training center at the county AgCenter Drive site to maximize a $7.5 million state grant and avoid land purchase; AgCenter advisory members urged that the original agricultural purpose of the donated land be honored and recommended alternate locations be considered.
County staff recommended using the existing AgCenter Drive property, adjacent to the Emergency Operations Center and sheriff training facilities, as the preferred phased location for a new fire-rescue training center funded initially with a $7.5 million state grant.
Facilities management staff outlined a site-selection process that considered five locations and concluded the AgCenter site maximizes the grant dollars because no land purchase would be required. Dan Whitcraft said the county would phase construction to get "boots on the ground" training capacity first, and the plan includes relocating training props from the decommissioned Sims Pit.
The fire chief described operational needs for live-fire and other realistic training that the county's rapidly growing fire-rescue workforce requires. He called the recommended location central, contiguous with other emergency facilities, and said it reduces travel time for staff and improves training consistency.
Several AgCenter advisory members — including long-time volunteer Jim Browning — told the board they support firefighter training in general but urged that the historic intent of the Usina gift (to support extension and agricultural programming) be respected and protected. Browning asked the county to preserve AgCenter programming and to ensure any training center does not preclude the site's agricultural uses and long-term community benefits.
Staff said the recommendation was based on infrastructure cost, current operations, and grant-timing and that the plan would be phased and designed to preserve AgCenter functions where possible.
What comes next: staff will continue design and phasing plans and engage AgCenter stakeholders to refine site layout and to minimize impacts to agricultural programming.
