LFGA sets its sights on upgrading shooting range
Price tag for upgrade would be $1.82 million
The Lethbridge Fish and Game Association is taking aim at a portion of the City’s Capital Improvement Program funds to upgrade its shooting sports facility.
Members of the LFGA proposed the $1.82-million project at Monday’s Finance Committee meeting, to be included in the 20182027 CIP.
The upgrades would make it a “primary projectile management facility” which will meet and exceed current standards for shooting ranges, even when a rule deviation is substantial (but not intentional).
“What that means is no projectile, if you’re using the facility in the manner to which it was designed, can leave the facility,” said Tom Hopkins, member of the LFGA. “So that makes it super safe, not only for Lethbridge residents but it also makes it super safe for the shooters down there as well.”
There have been several instances in the past where a projectile has left the facility. Most recently in 2013, when a man accidentally fired a bullet from an upward-pointed Smith and Wesson .45-calibre pistol, which sailed over the river valley range’s safety berm and into the roof of a northside house two kilometres away.
The man’s gun range membership was revoked. Those past instances were “people using the range inappropriately,” said Hopkins.
“So it was bad behaviour on the part of the people that used it,” he said. “But what we want to do through the process of enhancement that we’re talking about is you could probably even bend some rules and still have all of the bullets contained in there, short of doing something really illegal.”
Hopkins said the range meets every safety standard already, but the LFGA is not content to leave it at that.
“It’s our intent to make sure we meet all standards not only currently, but going into the future. What we don’t want to happen is a change in status and then suddenly be put in a position where we have to retroactively do something. That would be catastrophic to our group.”
The upgrades would ensure the viable operation of the range during the term of the LFGA’s land lease agreement with the City until the year 2036.
The LFGA is responsible for all costs and does not receive any operational or maintenance funding from the City.
The enhancements proposed include: ground and aerial baffles; improved backstops; bullet traps; shooting station enhancements; mobility access; target bases; sound attenuation; and flags/wind gauges. It would also improve the usage to three seasons and provide continued education and enforcement.
If approved, a steering committee would be created and consultants and engineers would be hired to coordinate the design and construction over a two-year period.
Located in Peenaquim Park, the current facility was built in the 1980s. Some modifications and safety improvements have been made over the years as funding became available.
Hopkins said they have done an analysis of facilities across North America. They were disappointed to learn there weren’t many “sophisticated” ranges out there, apart from military ranges. This project’s design would include some things that either don’t exist in other facilities or provide enhancements beyond what currently does exist.
“It would be one of the most innovative and creative shooting ranges probably for sure in Canada, and maybe even to some extent in North America, excluding some of the real high-end military ones,” he said.
The LFGA has about 1,600 members who are trained as range marshals, and approximately another 500 community members use the facility. They also entertain a number of local and regional youth clubs, and police services use the range for their training as well.
“So it’s pretty substantive the number of people that utilize it,” said Hopkins.
That’s part of the goal to also make it a three-season facility, with the addition of heaters at the shooting stations so visitors can train more frequently.
“One, it allows you to practise very well, but it also ensures some additional safety because obviously if you’re warm and cozy you’re going to function better than if you’re not,” he said.
As a demonstration of its commitment, the LFGA would also contribute a total of $1.1 million, if the project is approved.
Starting in 2017, they would contribute $20,000 per year until the expiration of the lease in 2036 for a total of $400,000. During construction, LFGA would donate $100,000 in volunteer time and materials.
Also for the term of the agreement, LFGA would provide $30,000 per year in costs for goods, equipment, targets, clays and ammunition to support youth programming at no cost, for a total of $600,000. This would ensure longterm safety of firearms users and the community through youth education.
“We’re one of the only not-forprofit organizations that does not charge their youth anything,” said Hopkins. “It doesn’t matter if you’re just attending, if you need clays to shoot trap, everything is free for our youth.”
CIP deliberations will take place mid-May, and final funding decisions are expected to be made in June.