The facility will be cutting edge.

"It's something we've wanted and needed for a long time. A place for training we can call our own. It's something we've never had before," Capt. Tom Dresner, the Interim Chief said.

Police will use the facility as a recruiting tool and to hit crime proactively.

"We can bring in those prevention seminars, where we can learn additional crime prevention strategies," Sgt. John Worden said.

In 2005, taxpayers approved $1 million for the facility, but with rising construction costs, the city will now pay $1.5 million. Columbia Police also wanted a shooting range, but after three years of searching and not finding a site, they dropped the idea and settled in Columbia.

A local citizen helped find a place for the training facility on Meyer Industrial Boulevard, south of the city.

"I know my dad was really excited about the project and glad to donate the property so it could happen," Mac Lemone, son of Bob Lemone said.

Bob Lemone, former owner of Little Dixie Construction, donated the lot before he died earlier this year.

"It was one of the projects he really enjoyed doing and it was actually one of the last projects Mr. Lemone worked on," John States, co-owner of Little Dixie Construction said.

The Columbia Police Department Regional Training Facility will be the biggest training site the city owns. All city departments will be able to use it.

"I know he was going to be really proud of it and we're glad to see it's finally getting built," Mac Lemone said.

Little Dixie Construction will build the facility, with Bob Lemone's son as the project manager.

Construction could wrap up this summer.