Daytona State College Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Law Enforcement Indoor Firearms Training Center on DeLand Campus

DELAND, FLA. (August 17, 2023) – Daytona State College kicked off construction of a new Law Enforcement Indoor Firearms Training Center with a groundbreaking ceremony on its DeLand Campus today. The facility, scheduled to open in Fall 2024, will be a state-of-the-art centerpiece of Daytona State College’s Law Enforcement Academy. 

“This facility will allow training to be conducted regardless of the weather and will accommodate multiple, simultaneous academy cohorts,” said Daytona State College President Tom LoBasso. “Our long-term plan is to transition our entire Charles M. Curb School of Emergency Services from the Advanced Technology College – where it has been since 2012 – to our DeLand Campus.”

The 10,682 square foot facility will include 15 firing lanes, a classroom and observation area. The range will provide Daytona State’s Law Enforcement Academy with an on-site, all-weather training capability. Current law enforcement officers from local, state and national agencies will also be able to utilize the range for their continuing education opportunities. 

Daytona State’s Law Enforcement Academy enrolls approximately 240 recruits annually and trains officers for all agencies in Volusia and Flagler counties. Daytona State also provides continuing education for nearly 100 current law enforcement officers per year.

“This really will be a monumental step forward for law enforcement and corrections training in our area, and the improved training that will result will be evident from the recruit level to certified officers serving in our communities,” said Evan Doyle, Director of the Charles M. Curb School of Emergency Services. “The addition of this range will allow us to enhance our firearms training program to meet the specific needs of recruits and sworn officers alike, training them to the highest level of firearms proficiency possible. Additionally, we will now be able to fundamentally transform the way we train our recruits by formulating the most optimal training schedule for recruits.”

The State Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis allocated $6,160,618 for the project during the 2022 legislative session.

Featured speakers at the groundbreaking included President Tom LoBasso, Daytona State College District Board of Trustees Chair Randy Howard, Director of the Charles M. Curb School of Emergency Services Evan Doyle and Law Enforcement Academy Recruit Zachary Ignoffo.

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Offering more than 100 certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, Daytona State College is the leader in education and workforce training needs of Volusia and Flagler counties and beyond. The College enrolls approximately 23,000 students a year at its seven campuses, with graduates serving in critical fields including healthcare, emergency services and public safety, business, education, hospitality, engineering, project management, accounting, computer science, digital media, and more.

Daytona State has been recognized as a leader in higher education numerous times. U.S. News & World Report ranks the College among the Top Tier Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center ranks DSC among the top 50 most affordable public four-year institutions in the country, with less than half the tuition of the national average. And U.S. News & World Report has ranked DSC among its Top Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans multiple times.