The Rocky Rod and Gun Club is moving forward with plans for a 1600m rifle range.
The range improvement are made possible by a $170,000 matching grant received from the provincial Active Community Initiative, which the club applied for in 2024.
In total, the Alberta government pledged $4.2 million through the grant which it says aims to make improvements to 12 sport and recreation facilities across the province.
Bruce Thornhill, membership director of the Rocky Rod and Gun Club says upgrading to a 1600m (one mile) range will be advantageous for the region, as it’s the “prestige number” in shooting sports. “We’re really pleased to be bringing this type of shooting sport to the sportsmen and sportswomen of Clearwater County.”
Thornhill says funding was just one of the challenges associated with the project. Others included getting regulatory approvals, as well as addressing concerns from adjacent landowners.
Thornhill adds, part of the funding will help create a small accommodation for people to camp during multi-day competitions.
Rocky Rod and Gun Club administrator Jane Henderson credits the Rocky Chamber of Commerce for helping the organization with the extensive paperwork to apply for the grant. Henderson also credits Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon with making the organization aware of the grants in the first place.
Other central Alberta projects receiving the grant include Medicine Lodge Ski Hill in Lacombe County and $119,000 to the Sundre Aquatic Centre to help cover the cost of a recent, $200,000 pool shutdown.
The Sundre Aquaplex is one of 12 sport and recreation facilities set to receive grant money from the provincial Active Communities Initiative. (Sundre Aquaplex/Kari McQuaid)
New additions will allow the club to host long-range competitions. Club President Eugene Gervais says once the one-mile range is completed, the club will be among the premier facilities in Alberta and western Canada.
Site preparation is now underway with completion expected this summer.
Currently, the club is a featuring a 600m rifle range, self-serve shotgun, action pistol bays and archery located just west Rocky.
Updates on construction will be provided throughout the process here.
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