The Avondale Police Department now has a dedicated home for its four-legged officers, with the opening of a new $3.96 million K-9 Training Facility at 50 N. Eliseo C. Felix Way.

The  complex was designed by Perlman Architects and built by Willmeng Construction. City leaders, police officials and community members celebrated the facility’s completion with a ribbon cutting earlier this month.

“This new center reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in policing and to the safety of the Avondale community,” said 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.”

The 3,924-square-foot facility is tailored to the needs of Avondale’s K-9 teams, who assist with narcotics enforcement, public safety, and community engagement. It includes five indoor kennels, a dedicated exam room, secure storage for training aids, and a modern training space that simulates real-world scenarios.

“Our K-9s are more than just police dogs; they are trusted partners, loyal guardians, and an essential part of our law enforcement team,” said Mayor Mike Pineda. “This new state-of-the-art facility honors their service and supports their health, safety, and operational effectiveness.”

The facility also supports broader department needs, including physical fitness exams for police applicants and ongoing assessments for current officers. It features advanced security systems, high-tech surveillance, and is designed with both functionality and long-term K-9 health in mind.

“We’re excited for that partnership that we've developed with the City of Avondale,” 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.”