State-of-the-art shooting facility is expected to be completed this fall
With a symbolic turn of earth from 15 shovels, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the Cleveland County Board of Commissioners officially broke ground Monday for a new, state-of-the-art public shooting range just north of Shelby.
The range, at 250 Fielding Road, will have a 250-yard rifle range, five 50-yard pistol ranges, two skeet/trap courses and a 3D archery course. The facility will be available to the general public, shooting sports teams and law enforcement for practice, training and recreational use. Expected completion date is early fall.
Partnerships played a key role in planning the shooting range, said Mallory Martin, chief deputy director of the Commission.
“The shooting range speaks to the power of partnerships and what can be accomplished with partners, such as Cleveland County,” Martin said. “The result of this partnership will be increased opportunities for the public to participate in shooting sports, as well as enhanced facilities for training, certification and education.”
Under the terms of a memorandum of agreement signed in 2013, funding from the Commission will be used to construct the facility, grade the site, and build berms, roads and parking lots.
Cleveland County provided the property for the shooting range. The county will refurbish an existing house located on the property and is constructing another building that will have restrooms and concessions. The county also will handle routine maintenance of the site and will be responsible for the day-to-day operational oversight of the facility.
“The shooting range is going to be enjoyed by citizens of Cleveland County, as well as those across the region and the entire state of North Carolina,” said Johnny Hutchins, a Cleveland County commissioner. “The range will be a destination Cleveland County will be proud of.”
The Commission and Cleveland County are sharing the cost of the project, with the Commission using money from the Wildlife Endowment Fund, as well a $25,000 grant from the National Rifle Association through its Public Range Fund, which was established in 2009 to provide funding for the construction of public ranges across the country.
The Cleveland County Shooting Range is one of several ranges the Commission will construct this year to provide the public with places to shoot. Range construction is part of the agency’s mission to provide statewide public shooting opportunities.
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