Shooting range update

The end is nigh for the forecasted work schedule on the Taber Shooting Range — for now.

During their regular meeting on April 23, Municipal District of Taber council was updated on M.D. operations and maintenance by Craig Pittman, public works superintendent. Work at the Taber Shooting Range has mostly involved the west wing, which is expected to be completed this year.

“We’ve got approximately five weeks scheduled for them to do their work there,” said Pittman.

He added focus will continue to be on the west wing, roadway, and parking lot.

The west ranges include long range, rifle range, and small pistol calibre range. The east ranges, including the cowboy action and pistol range, will not be completed until fall 2014 or spring 2015, as well as the road extension to the archery range.

During discussion, Reeve Brian Brewin asked if work has been done on these other ranges as well, and Pittman said they were well over 50 per cent on those other bays.

“I’d say it would be an easy month to completion (on the other ranges),” he said.

The Taber Shooting Foundation was awarded a grant for $37,000 by the Alberta Conservation Association for construction of 400 metres of chain link fencing and for the installation of an automated entrance gate.

Installation of the fence and gate will begin once the access road is completed. The completion date is expected at the end of April.

Reclamation seed has been ordered and received for the range floor and berms, with native seed mix to be donated by Ducks Unlimited for reclamation efforts of the borrow areas and the topsoil stockpile area.