A 16-month-old Spokane company, called Condition 1 LLC, says it plans to develop a world class tactical training facility on a large acreage south of Cheney that it is negotiating to buy.


As envisioned, the training center, also to be named Condition 1, will occupy 700 or more acres, include multiple structures and training areas, and market itself to a broad range of potential users, from military units and law enforcement agencies to civilian gun enthusiasts.


Condition 1 co-owners and brothers Richard and Michael Shults, both military veterans who served in the Iraq, say the training center will be developed in phases, but they expect to open part of it by the end of this year.


Richard Shults, the companys general manager, declines to estimate the cost of developing the facility, except to say that it will exceed $1 million. Pending completion of the land purchase, he also declines to say exactly where the center would be located, other than it would be south of the Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.


This is really something that is needed, he says, citing a dearth of such facilities nationally and rising security-related concerns domestically and globally. He notes that the companys promotional motto is, When youre the last line of defense


Sean Reagan, Condition 1s vice president of marketing and development and also a military veteran, says the company is close to locking up financing for the project from Global Credit Union and has secured a letter of intent from Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich to have county law enforcement personnel use the training center. To provide additional startup capital, it also has begun offering individual and family lifetime memberships to prospective civilian members, for $1,000 and $2,500, respectively.


Were done with all of the precursor elements. We have all the ducks in a row to make this happen, he says.


The training center is expected to boast six shooting ranges, including four flat ranges of varying target distances, a 300-meter military pop-up range, and a 1,000-meter rifle range. It also is expected to include a 360-degree shoot house, or house mock-up, for close range, indoor-type training exercises, and whats called a MOUT (military operation in urbanized terrain) city, which is an urban landscape mock-up designed to help simulate operations in city-like conditions.


Additionally, development plans call for a tower for rappelling and high-angle target interdiction exercises, a tactical driving track, several classroom buildings, and a clubhouse with a pro shop, coffee stand, and administrative offices.


Condition 1s founders say they expect to use their contacts to bring in expert military and law-enforcement trainers with the highest level of special-operations and hostile-fire experience. However, they say they also will make the facility as inviting and non-intimidating as possible for civilian users, including those with little or no shooting experience.


Part of the intent of developing the clubhouse, they say, is to give the training center a friendly, relaxed feel, and to create what Reagan calls a country club for tactical training.


For now, Condition 1 LLC, which was set up originally to do overseas security consulting, has no office space and is operating from Richard Shults home. The two brothers, Reagan, and one other person are the companys only employees.


Richard Shults says he expects the training center will have a regular staff of about eight people, though contracted trainers will swell that work force. He says he expects Condition 1 LLC to buy the development site for the training center shortly and hopes work on it can begin by September.


The company will seek to negotiate contracts with military units, law enforcement agencies, and other such organizations that want to use the facility. In its efforts to market the facility, Reagan says, Were really going to emphasize our connection with the military, and the militarys connection with law enforcement.


The company will offer the lifetime memberships to civilians only until the facility opens, and civilians thereafter can pay daily use fees or buy annual memberships, he says. All membership dues collected will be held in trust until the facility opens, he says. For security reasons, all applicants will be required to undergo a criminal background check, according to the companys Web site.


The idea for the business venture evolved out of former Spokane County Sheriff Mark Sterks unsuccessful proposal several years ago to develop a law-enforcement training complex on the West Plains that was to cost as much as $75 million to $100 million.


Stark had said that facility, which was to be called the National Institute for Public Safety Leadership, would be designed to attract law-enforcement trainees not just regionally, but nationally, and he envisioned 500 to 1,500 enrollees cycling through it each week.


Condition 1s founders have adopted some of Sterks ideas, but say they are convinced they can develop their training center much more cost efficiently and yet still market it successfully to a regional and national clientele that extends beyond just law enforcement.


To further promote the facility, they say theyll have informational booths set up at a Washington Security Forces Association gathering June 4-6 at the Spokane Convention Center and at the Spokane Gun Show June 9-10 at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center.


Contact Kim Crompton at (509) 344-1263 or via e-mail at kimc@spokanejournal.com.