SELMA — Gov. Bob Riley will speak at the grand opening of the new Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center Thursday.

The $24.5 million training center is on the campus of Wallace Community College Selma.  It was completed in 18 months.

The center will be the site of training for new state troopers, correctional officers and police recruits. It replaces the training facility at the former Craig Field in Selma.

the Craig Field center was housed in 1950s-era buildings that were outdated, in constant need of repairs and too costly to maintain.

The new training center was funded by the 2007 educational bond issue.

In addition to Riley, others scheduled to attend the grand opening are Alabama Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen, Public Safety Director Col. J. Christopher Murphy, state Sen. Hank Sanders and James Mitchell, president of Wallace Community College Selma.

The grand opening is Thursday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m. at Wallace Community College Selma, 105 Meadow Lane.