Overview 

• CFGA has an opportunity to develop a shooting range at a location approximately 45mins west of Calgary. This location would be adjacent to existing shooting ranges in the area and under the same lease. 
• The potential facility could be developed in phases to eventually include a rifle range with targets at 100m,200m, and 300m, a shotgun range, and an archery range.

Potential Benefits 

• CFGA members would have access to the facility.  We could regularly hold a variety of events for both CFGA members and the public. 
• A shooting range could result in a significant increase in CFGA membership, which could provide an additional pool of engaged members and volunteers, and increased financial resources. 
• A new range could help alleviate the existing shortage of shooting facilities in the Calgary area (most of which have lengthy waitlists). 
• The CFGA range could be differentiated from other ranges – rather than a particular niche or competitive shooting, it could be for generalist shooters within the hunting community.  Part of our vision could be to provide educational programs geared towards youth and new hunters in particular. 

Challenges 

• Developing the range would be a significant investment in the range of $100,000, which includes costs such as tree clearing, berm construction, and building a covered shooting area.  CFGA would apply to use AGLC funds in addition to existing cash balances and possible grants to pay for these costs.  While CFGA may be able to pay for the range, doing so would divert those funds away from other potential uses.
• Developing a range would require a group of highly engaged volunteers who are willing to make a significant time commitment, which has been a challenge for CFGA recently. 
• To have access to the range, CFGA members would be asked to pay a significantly higher membership fee, expected to be in the range of $200-300 annually.  In addition to AFGA continuing to take its share of all membership fees ($45 per individual member), $50 per shooting range member would be paid to a third party to cover expenses such as road and fence maintenance and insurance.  Therefore, for every individual CFGA member who wants to access the range, almost $100 would be paid to third parties.
• Operating a successful shooting range would require a large user base, with an expected minimum of 300 paying range users.  While it’s expected we could achieve these numbers (given the waitlists at other shooting ranges), the new users attracted to the range may not be aligned with CFGA’s values and priorities, and they would outnumber existing CFGA members.

Next steps 

• As we consider whether or not to pursue this opportunity, we want your input! 
• Please feel free to respond to Shane Gauthier with your thoughts or register to join us for a special members meeting to discuss it on June 7 at 7:00pm at The Shooting Edge (510 77 Ave SE, Bay 4, Calgary).
• Questions we would like to hear your thoughts on include: 

1. Do you think CFGA should pursue development of a shooting range?  Do you think it would be good for the club in the long-term?
2. If you support it, are you willing to serve on a shooting range committee (as chairman, finance lead, construction lead, regulatory lead, operations lead or other)?  How much time per month, beginning immediately, are you willing to commit to help? 
3. Would you be willing to pay $200-300 per year for a CFGA membership if it included access to a shooting range?