Greer City Council got its first look behind the scenes of the construction at the new Public Safety Training Center – the first of the ForGreer projects to get off the ground.
The site on Hood Road looks a lot different than it did at February’s groundbreaking. The buildings are starting to take shape, and Council really got a feel for the scale of the center and what it will mean for Greer Police and Fire Departments.
The 50-yard shooting range may look like a concrete shell now, but soon it will be outfitted with high-tech safety systems and provide a flexible space for many different types of officer training. The outer walls are made of 12-inch masonry blocks for both safety and sound barriers. The HVAC system in the range is separate from the rest of the building and is designed to prevent lead exposure. The filtration system will capture lead particles from spent ammunition out of the air, and the side walls will have two-foot square panels made out of a material that can “heal” itself and withstand more than a thousand shots before they need to be replaced.
Right now, the Greer Police Department utilizes the shooting ranges of partner organizations for training, and officers are limited to the blocks of time that are available. The City of Greer’s new training center will allow for more frequent training opportunities and much more flexibility in scheduling. The training room is designed to be flex-space that can accommodate a variety of activities. The main building will also have office space, showers, lockers, and a small kitchen.
The first three levels are built out on the fire tower, but crews have one more level to add on. The top of the tower will be fitted with anchors for repelling practice, and the roof will have porches and handrails for training purposes. The tower will have a simulated elevator shaft for rescue training. The floor will be made of burn-resistant brick and is designed to allow water to flow outside. The ceiling will be outfitted with fire panels.
Construction is on track for the center to open in late Spring 2026.