Oceanside has requested additional construction plans and cost estimates for a new police shooting range to be built at the city’s fleet operations center on Oceanside Boulevard, near the city’s eastern border with Vista.

Project Timeline and Costs

According to City Engineer Brian Thomas, design completion is anticipated by mid-2026, followed by public bidding. Construction is projected to begin by the end of 2026, contingent on material availability, and is expected to last approximately 20 months.

The latest amendment to a consulting contract with LPA, Inc., approved on March 25th by the City Council, adds $198,800, bringing the total contract cost to over $1.8 million. This is the seventh amendment to the original contract approved on September 15, 2020.

Need for a New Facility

Currently, Oceanside police officers utilize a firearms training facility at the San Luis Rey Wastewater Treatment Plant. However, this space is needed for an upcoming expansion of the plant, necessitating the development of a new range.

From Rancho Del Oro to Oceanside Boulevard

Initial plans considered a $131 million “all-inclusive” three-story police headquarters with an attached parking structure and underground shooting range on property at 1280 Rancho Del Oro Road, estimated in February 2023. However, these costs proved too high.

City staff then explored alternatives, proposing to remove the shooting range from the Rancho Del Oro plans to reduce expenses. This led to considering the fleet operations center on Oceanside Boulevard as a viable location.

Fleet Operations Center Availability

The Oceanside Boulevard location offers available space due to Hobie Cat, a former tenant, relocating much of its manufacturing to Mexico. The operations center currently houses vehicle storage, maintenance, fueling, and police evidence storage.

Preliminary plans for the shooting range at the operations center were approved in 2024, requiring a fifth amendment to the LPA contract for an additional $156,000.

Future Headquarters and Funding

A construction financing plan for the new police headquarters will be presented to the City Council in June. If approved, the building could be completed as early as fall 2029.

Thomas stated, “The new facility would be more than just a police headquarters, it would also have public spaces for meetings and community gatherings.” He further explained it will include an Emergency Operations Center, expanded dispatch capability, and state-of-the-art technology.

The city continues to explore cost-reduction options, including considering a site within El Corazon Park.