Canine Training Facility Tops Out
Laurel, MD
The James J. Rowley Training Center (JJRTC) Canine Training Facility celebrated its topping out on Friday, November 30th. The Harkins team was joined by subcontractors and our owner’s teams for a catered lunch from Mission BBQ and a tour of the site.
Located off of Powder Mill Road in Laurel, MD, the Maloney Canine Building was first built in the mid-1980s and housed administrative offices, food preparation, equipment storage, and washing facilities for the US Secret Service. Due to its age, it lacked the accommodations necessary to meet current military canine handling standards for facilitating complete training, care, and housing of animals, as well as training for handlers. The building was demolished in early 2018 and is well on its way to being replaced with a new state-of-the-art Canine Facility in two buildings. It will feature efficient work areas with proprietary equipment, multipurpose rooms, an emergency medical area, and plenty of natural light and ventilation.
The new complex increases the capacity of its predecessor. It entails a training facility with administrative spaces, classrooms and odor introduction and observations rooms that support canine training requirements. Attached by an access road and canopy, a separate 36-kennel facility focuses on care and maintenance of the canines, including space requirements for a veterinary emergency examination room, laundry room, food preparation and storage rooms, and tactical equipment storage.
The project broke ground in November 2017 and is anticipated to be complete in February 2019.