Fort Macleod has been picked as the site for Alberta's new multimillion-dollar police and peace officer college.

Solicitor general Harvey Cenaiko made the announcement in Edmonton on Wednesday, saying the town, located 50 kilometres west of Lethbridge, is the perfect choice for the new facility.

In announcing the decision, Cenaiko said the southern Alberta location met all requirements for the college.

The community of about 3,000 is close to a corrections facility, Lethbridge's airport and is on two major highways, the solicitor general said, noting that he is pleased the centre will be built outside of Alberta's major cities.

"Not every government facility has to be in Calgary or Edmonton, and I think it's fantastic that we can look at this centre being in a smaller community," he said, adding the college will have a strong economic impact on the community.

A past and future in policing

Fort Macleod Mayor Shawn Patience says the community is very excited about the decision.

"This is really where policing began in Western Canada, and it's very exciting now that Fort Macleod is now part of the future of policing, not only in the province of Alberta but in the country as well," he said. 

The facility is expected to cost between $50 million and $100 million and will train as many as 400 police recruits and 1,000 peace officers each year.

Cenaiko says the college will be unique because it will also train corrections, transportation, sheriffs and fish and wildlife officers.

The province hopes to break ground next year for the college.

Fort Macleod was selected over Camrose, Lac la Biche and Red Deer county.

With files from the Canadian Press