MWCD Breaks Ground on Regional Safety Center
New Philadelphia, OH (November 4, 2025) — The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, October 31, 2025, for the new Tappan Regional Safety Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to strengthen collaboration and training among regional emergency services and enhance public safety across the Tappan Lake area.
Located at 35400 Cadiz-Dennison Road in Scio, Ohio, the $4.6 million project will feature a Ranger Training Center and a new home for the Tappan Lake Volunteer Fire Department (TLVFD). Together, these facilities will serve as a central hub for education, emergency response coordination, and community engagement.
“This project represents a major step forward in ensuring the safety and preparedness of our region,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “By creating a shared space for training and emergency operations, we’re not only improving response times and efficiency but also building a stronger connection among our local first responders and the communities they serve.”
The Tappan Regional Safety Center will feature collaborative training areas and classrooms designed to support law enforcement, fire, and emergency personnel. The facility will also include a helicopter landing zone to enhance medical transport capabilities and improve emergency response efficiency. In addition, the center will offer space for public outreach programs and educational events, strengthening community engagement and promoting safety awareness throughout the region. The new Ranger Training Facility will help MWCD officers enhance law enforcement skills and readiness, while the TLVFD will benefit from modern facilities and shared resources for fire and rescue training.
Construction is expected to be completed by September 2026.
“This investment underscores our commitment to the communities we serve,” added Pete Novotny, MWCD Chief of Recreation. “The Tappan Safety Center will be a cornerstone for emergency preparedness and a resource for collaboration across agencies.”
About Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
The MWCD, a political subdivision of the state, was organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses in the Muskingum River Watershed, the largest wholly contained watershed in Ohio. Since their construction, the 16 reservoirs and dams in the MWCD region have been credited for saving over $9 billion worth of potential property damage from flooding according to the federal government, as well as providing popular recreational opportunities that bolster the region’s economy, garnering more than 5 million visitors annually. A significant portion of the reservoirs are managed by the MWCD, and the dams are managed for flood-risk management by the federal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). For more information about the MWCD, visit www.mwcd.org and follow the MWCD on Facebook and Instagram.
