Construction Begins on New Public Safety Academy Building

Several Patch readers have recently inquired, "What is being built next to the National Guard Armory on Route 5?"

The answer: the new Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) Public Safety Academy building.

Enfield land records show that CREC formally purchased the property at 1617 King Street for $1.755 million in early June. Construction began in late October, and the facility is expected to open in fall 2014.

Currently, the school is located in the former Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School on Post Office Road. Prior to moving there in 2011, the school was based at the former Control Module facility on Brainard Road, site of the former Noah Webster School.

The school serves grades 6-12, and provides a general middle school and high school curriculum, as well as specialized educational environments.

According to the school's web site, among the disciplines at the new facility will be Fire Science, Wet Lab with Sprinkler Test Room, Crime Scene Lab, Digital Photography, Emergency Medical Treatment, Emergency Operations Center, Dispatch Training and Specialized Physical Fitness.