Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
The State Shooting Complex Oversight Task Force met last Wednesday, Sept. 27 in Riverton to continue discussion of creating a state-of-the-art shooting sport facility in Wyoming.
Survey results and criteria for scoring site proposals were on the agenda for this meeting. The meeting included both legislators and members of the public. Representing Worland’s interests in the facility were Mayor Jim Gill and Worland Shooting Complex Board of Directors Chairman Tom Outland.
Outland said that the meeting was preliminary in nature. They spent the first half of the day discussing results from a survey the task force posted online. The survey asked its participants to name their top 10 shooting sports as well as 10 favorite non-shooting recreation activities.
Later in the day they turned their attention to laying out criteria for potential sights for the shooting complex. Criteria discussed at the meeting included acreage, weather conditions, lodging, dining and access to highways and airports. Outland said, “Our main draw is weather conditions. We consistently have very little wind and clear visibility at the range here in Worland.”
As for Worland’s chances of becoming home to the State Shooting Complex, Outland said, “I think it’s pretty much wide open right now, they haven’t made any sort of decision on location. It just depends on what all the communities put together in their proposals, and how that all fits in with the goals for the facility. The main drawbacks that I can see for Worland getting a proposal is the lodging and dining aspect of it. I think Worland can be in the running but I think we need some upgrades to our infrastructure to be competitive.”
He added, “Personally I feel like Worland should pursue this because it has the potential to revitalize our local economy. If you’ve got a site like that in place, then it’s going to draw some other businesses.”
Gill said, “I’m a realist, and it’s gonna be tough. Thermopolis was there with a proposal, Cody is gearing up big time, and Fremont County is submitting a proposal together.”
In his opinion, Outland said that it would improve the chances of bringing the facility into the Big Horn Basin if Worland worked together with neighboring communities to provide the amenities outlined in the criteria for the facility. Gill added, “I’ll fight hard for Worland, but I’ll fight just as hard for anyone in the Basin who gets it. Even if it’s not in Worland, it’ll help us in the end.”
Another task force meeting will be held in October to formalize the criteria for the sight proposals, at which time proposals may begin to be submitted. Outland said that it would take at least 90 days to hear back once they submit.