Willmeng Construction and the City of Avondale recently celebrated the completion of the new Avondale Police Department K-9 Training Facility. This state-of-the-art training center, designed by Perlman Architects, was specifically designed to support the intensive training and operational needs of Avondale’s highly skilled K-9 teams. The facility, located at 50 N. Eliseo C. Felix Way, aims to enhance officer readiness, improve response capabilities, and promote the long-term health and performance of both K-9s and their handlers.
“One of the best things about what Willmeng does is we have opportunities like this to support the first responders who play such a vital role in our communities,” said Chris Brown, Market Leader for Willmeng Construction. “We get to play a small role in providing these facilities that help those departments do their job better and support the community around them. There’s no better gratification than getting to do that.”
The Avondale Police Department’s K-9 teams play an essential role in various community functions, from narcotics enforcement to public engagement. This new facility provides a dedicated home base, and is designed to provide the best environment for the dogs and their handlers..
“This new center reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in policing and to the safety of the Avondale community,” said Avondale Police Chief Memo Espinoza. “A special thank you to the Avondale City Council and city staff for providing the ongoing resources to ensure our public safety personnel are among the best-trained in Arizona.”
“Our K-9s are more than just police dogs; they are trusted partners, loyal guardians, and an essential part of our law enforcement team,” added Avondale Mayor Mike Pineda. “This new state-of-the-art facility honors their service and supports their health, safety, and operational effectiveness”.
The new 3,924‑square‑foot facility features five individual indoor kennels for K‑9 partners, a dedicated exam room for wellness checks and cleaning, and secure storage for training aids such as narcotics and explosives to ensure proper handling and safety. It also includes a modern training and fitness room for ongoing evaluations and professional development, high‑tech surveillance systems and safety alarms, and a range of on‑site enhancements like an outdoor obstacle course, a secure patio, a fitness patio with synthetic lawn, and secure parking. In addition to serving K‑9 teams, the facility supports broader departmental needs by providing space for police applicant fitness exams and routine assessments for current officers.
The total cost of the project was $3.96 million.
This project continues a strong relationship between Willmeng, the City of Avondale, and Perlman Architects. This project team has been working on projects for the City of Avondale for more than four consecutive years. This series of community investments includes Avondale Fire Station 175, completed in 2022, the Avondale Police Detention Center (located next to the K-9 Training Facility), which opened in October 2024, and the adjacent to the K-9 Training Center.
“We’re excited for that partnership that we’ve developed with the City of Avondale,” said Brown. “We’re very grateful for the trust that they’ve put in us and we hope for the opportunity to continue to build many more facilities like this.”
Photos Courtesy of Willmeng Construction, by Small Giants
