Parks committee moves forward on shooting range

The possibility of the state building a shooting range at Ned Houk Park is one step closer to becoming a reality.

During its meeting on Monday, the Clovis Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee voted in approval of the measure, which now moves to the Clovis city commission for a full body vote.

The agreement calls for the state to build the facility, which would be maintained and operated by the city of Clovis.

Clovis Parks and Recreation Director Mark Dayhoff presented the committee with an estimated expense breakdown that totals $128,100 yearly, with $99,200 of the estimated funding earmarked for salaries for a range superintendent, a full-time maintenance rangemaster and a part-time range employee.

The remaining balance of the estimate is devoted to contractual services, including utilities, transportation / education and insurance — and commodities (printing and office supplies, motor fuels and oil and safety supplies).

“I really want to emphasize that these are estimates, because we are dealing with so many unknowns,” Dayhoff said in addressing the committee members. “Salaries are the biggest expense and to ensure a safe environment for our shooters and the public, I recommend we have two full-time employees who would have to obtain their NRA (National Rifle Association) range safety certificate and or a NRA firearm instructor certification.”

New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Shooting Program Coordinator Jessica Fisher said if the project is approved, roughly 720 acres would be used to build the site and the project would also call for 100- and 200-yard ranges, in addition to action bays to shoot small firearms and four trap skeet overlay fields that would allow for hosting Amateur Trapshooting Association and National Skeet Shooters Association competitions. Parking areas and classrooms would also be included.

Additionally, Fisher said the city would maintain and operate the facility under the city’s non-profit entity. She said it would have to be non-profit in order to access the Pittman-Robertson funds, which is a federal excise tax.

“Construction funds in the amount of $1 million will be available July 1,” Fisher said. “Of course with potential procurement issues with the state, it might be 60 days before we could break ground. We would conduct an environmental impact study, a cultural survey of the area and an endangered / threatened species study — but we envision the facility would be completed January 2017.”

Clovis resident Marty Tressel said he does a great deal of shooting at a facility in Roswell, is treasurer of the Chaparral Skeet Club and attended the meeting to extend his support for the project.

“I know there are budgets to consider and the possibility of a potential shortfall,” he said in addressing the committee. “But there are other options available that may help relieve the salary load, such as a non-profit club structure where they can sell memberships and aid in maintaining the equipment and facilities without a direct cost to the city. We don’t want to kill off something because the city doesn’t have the budget. Let’s look for creative ways to keep the project.”