"You can't understate the fact of how important this is," said Kovacsev.
Poor conditions meant the facility was not always open and a lot of the training happened at the complex run by the Pinellas county Sheriff's office.
"For us to share that with them the sheriffs office has well over 1000 deputies, they also open up the range to other federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security," said Kovacsev "They are a great partner but again this is their range."
Kovacsev said proper training will not only keep officers safer but the entire community. And they are not the only ones that see it that way.
"Bravo Long-overdue good thing," said long time community activists Theresa Lassiter.
Lassiter who works closely with police feels this will give police the tools they need.
"This will allow them to do what they need to do and with excellence," said Lassiter.
The new range is expected to be built next to the current one.
"The bottom line is that this is what officers deserve. To have somewhere where they can come and train that is clean and that is safe."
