New police firing range at training center opens in Cary

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office cut the ribbon on its new firing range Thursday in Cary.

The sheriff’s office, in conjunction with the McHenry County Board and police departments in Cary, Algonquin, McHenry and Lake in the Hills, debuted the firing range, which is 11,000 square feet and includes a 50-year range with 10 lines, a classroom for 35 people, a firearm cleaning room and a range control room, according to a news release.

“The range is designed specifically for law enforcement training, with mechanical targets and room for vehicles and other large objects for tactical training,” according to the release.

The sheriff’s office and various local police departments will be able to use the facility. The sheriff’s office previously used an outdoor range in Hartland and other sites around the Chicago area to train.

“Much like the Regional Training Center, the firearms facility will help to keep McHenry County police officers trained to high standards efficiently and affordably in their backyard,” McHenry County Sheriff Robb Tadelman said in the release.

The Regional Training Center, which is on the same property as the firing range, opened in the fall, and classes are scheduled to start in June, according to the release. Officials previously said the center is planning to accommodate officers of all shifts, including those who work nights.