OCTOBER 22, 2024 |
Photo – Rawlins indoor shooting range at the rec center – Courtesy Rawlins Recreation Center
The Rawlins Shooting Complex’s indoor shooting range is set to reopen after a year of construction delays.
This Sunday, October 27th, is the final day to use the outdoor shooting range at the Rawlins Shooting Complex. The following Friday, November 1st, marks the reopening of the indoor shooting range.
Rawlins Parks and Recreation Director Nikki Howell told Bigtfoot99 that the indoor shooting range was closed around this time last year. Georgia-based firearms supplier InVeris Training Solutions performed an inspection of the city’s indoor shooting range and found safety concerns, specifically with the original 35-year-old shooting stall partitions.
Howell explained that in November of 2023, InVeris and city workers removed the partition walls and carpeting from the indoor shooting range. However, the project faced an unexpected four-month delay due to COVID-related equipment shortages.
The supply delays caused the indoor shooting range to remain closed for the 2023 through 2024 season.
Once the equipment was received, Howell said InVeris installed larger stall partitions to protect shooters from bullet ricochets.
The indoor shooting range floor was carpeted when the Rawlins Family Recreation Center was built in 1988. Despite proper ventilation, Howell said the carpeting was filled with 35 years of bullets and other contaminates. The old carpet was removed, and the range was taken down to bare concrete.
The concrete floor was covered with an epoxy coating. Howell said the new flooring is more aesthetically appealing and easier to maintain.
Next Friday, November 1, marks the official reopening of the indoor shooting range at the Rawlins Shooting Complex. Howell provided the hours of operation for the indoor range.
Howell explained that people who bought indoor shooting range passes last season will receive a six-month extension to compensate for the closure.
The Parks and Rec Director said she will likely hold an official grand reopening event for the indoor shooting range later in the year.
