City indoor shooting range proposed

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Developers of a new indoor shooting range brought their plans for the facility to Van Wert City Council on Monday.

Terry Jackson, speaking on behalf of his wife, Susan, and partners Chuck and Robin McCann, talked about the range, to be called Within Range Heartland Shooting Sports LLC and located on Fox Road behind the Council on Aging’s senior center.

Jackson said he has been talking to an engineer to ensure that the facility is safe and would not be a problem for neighbors. “Our primary goal is safety, safety, safety,” he noted, adding that organizers are doing “exhaustive research” with ranges currently operating in other communities.

The shooting range would be an NRA-sanctioned, ballistic level 8 facility, which would allow for use of up to 7.62 caliber ammunition. Plans are to hire 13 full-time employees and six part-time workers when the range is fully operational. Jackson also said local contractors would be used to construct the facility.

Jackson said the range would be operated as a family-oriented center and noted that NRA gun safety courses would also be taught. The facility also plans to partner with the local 4-H shooting sports club to provide activities for 4-H members.

“To be able to provide a place for all shooting sport enthusiasts to meet and enjoy the firearms heritage is our desire,” the owners said in a letter sent to City Council prior to Monday’s informational presentation.

Although there is a ban on discharging weapons within the city limits, Van Wert Law Director John Hatcher said that does not include shooting ranges that comply with state regulations.

Also Monday, members of the Streets and Alleys Committee met to discuss the possibility of putting up a traffic light at the intersection of Fox Road and Shannon Street. In conjunction with that effort, a traffic study was conducted, showing the number of vehicles using Shannon Street during school transportation hours was between 1,000 and 2,000 – significantly more than the 650-vehicle limit required by the Ohio Department of Transportation for a traffic light.

An engineering study would need to be done, committee chair Pete Weir said, as well as cost estimates on the project.

Safety-Service Director Jay Fleming also talked about the Smiley Park concession stand project, but said city officials have postponed the seeking of bids until details are ironed out.

Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Stuart Jewett also noted that the parks department has a new website at www.vanwertparksrecreation.weebly.com that provides information on parks activities and other related news.

Jewett said he was also hoping for an opening day of May 4 for the new ball diamond at Jubilee Park.

In legislative action taken Monday night, Council approved a resolution allowing Fleming to accept bids during an online energy auction to be held at 11 a.m. today. The auction is for 19 city-owned electric meters not involved in the current electric aggregation program, Fleming said.

A then-and-now certificate was also approved for $4,215.23 for repairs to a Van Wert Fire Department emergency vehicle, while preparation of an ordinance allowing Fleming to seek bids and award contracts for the concession stand at Smiley Park was approved, with amendments made after cost estimates come in.