Jacksonville Getting Shooting Sports Complex in 2013
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: October 15, 2012
Jacksonville will be the home of a state-of-the-art shooting range that will be built next year.
A groundbreaking was held this morning for the facility going up at the intersection of Loop Road and Graham Road.
Dubbed the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex (see larger drawing below), it will be used for shooting sports and archery.
The facility will have 13 ranges with room for expansion.
"We are very pleased to announce the groundbreaking for this one-of-a-kind facility," said Bobby Martin, current Chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. "Upon completion, this will be the premier shooting range facility in the state."
Arkansas leads the nation in shooting sports participants, thanks largely to the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program (AYSSP), which is an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission program. Over 7,000 students participate in the program each year. Teams are made up of participants from both public and private schools, 4-H and other community organizations. The junior division is made up of 6th through 8th grade students, and the senior division is made up of 9th through 12th grade students. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will utilize the range for activities
and tournaments.
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher said, "This range is going to be a tremendous asset to Jacksonville and the state of Arkansas, and we are excited to be a part of such a large project. The City of Jacksonville has donated the land for this fine facility and fully supports this initiative."
A capital campaign will be launched in early 2013 to support the plans for building the facility. The Game and Fish Foundation is funding the project, along with contributions from the capital campaign. Bond Engineering is developing the site and Wittenberg, Deloney and Davidson Inc. is the architectural firm designing the complex.
"Now more than ever, it is important that we provide our young people with the space to learn about shooting sports, archery, hunting and fishing, and this range facility is a gateway to a lifelong path of enjoying these things," said Martin.
The shooting range is expected to be ready for use next Spring.
Click here for a Fact Sheet on the shooting range.
A groundbreaking was held this morning for the facility going up at the intersection of Loop Road and Graham Road.
Dubbed the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex (see larger drawing below), it will be used for shooting sports and archery.
The facility will have 13 ranges with room for expansion.
"We are very pleased to announce the groundbreaking for this one-of-a-kind facility," said Bobby Martin, current Chairman of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. "Upon completion, this will be the premier shooting range facility in the state."
Arkansas leads the nation in shooting sports participants, thanks largely to the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Program (AYSSP), which is an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission program. Over 7,000 students participate in the program each year. Teams are made up of participants from both public and private schools, 4-H and other community organizations. The junior division is made up of 6th through 8th grade students, and the senior division is made up of 9th through 12th grade students. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will utilize the range for activities
and tournaments.
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher said, "This range is going to be a tremendous asset to Jacksonville and the state of Arkansas, and we are excited to be a part of such a large project. The City of Jacksonville has donated the land for this fine facility and fully supports this initiative."
A capital campaign will be launched in early 2013 to support the plans for building the facility. The Game and Fish Foundation is funding the project, along with contributions from the capital campaign. Bond Engineering is developing the site and Wittenberg, Deloney and Davidson Inc. is the architectural firm designing the complex.
"Now more than ever, it is important that we provide our young people with the space to learn about shooting sports, archery, hunting and fishing, and this range facility is a gateway to a lifelong path of enjoying these things," said Martin.
The shooting range is expected to be ready for use next Spring.
Click here for a Fact Sheet on the shooting range.
