By Sarah Michalos
Johnson Co. Daily Journal

A recently renovated gun range in the Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area will close next week due to financial woes - but officials plan to reopen early next year.

The private manager of the Atterbury shooting range said he's been losing so much money the past year that he's had to stop operating the range, which was funded and constructed by the state.

The Department of Natural Resources received proposals last week from private companies interested in operating the range, said Cary Schuyler, property manager of the fish and wildlife area.

Those proposals will be reviewed in the next few weeks, and a new manager will be selected to run the range, he said.

This range was a Federal funded renovation, and now it is closed? I would think there was a contract signed? How does one walk away? Why do I not get the use of it on a property I own? Before the renovation I could use the range, why not now?

This is going to be closed during the holidays? MANY youths and adults will receive new or first guns at Christmas(my grandson) and now we have nowhere to shoot?

Someone has REALLY dropped the ball on this one!!!!

This range has been a disaster since day one.

It was constructed with nearly $5M of taxpayer money.

The operations were handed over to an individual who has since attempted to run it at a profit, initially pricing the range fees VERY high then lowering them just to get people in the doors.

The range was funded entirely by tax dollars and should NEVER have been run at a profit.

Our state and federal government really failed on this one. I am sure they will get it right with health care though.

It is really hard to believe that anyone could have thought this thing would come anywhere close to breaking even. It does show how federal dollars can be spent foolishly. It is too bad that there isn't a coalition of sporting groups that could take responsibility for the range because it is them who should step up and prove that it is needed and wanted, if in fact it really is. And Chevy, the healthcare bill is going to be very, very bad but it's really not the fault of Congress, its the fault of the American people for not wanting to be accountable themselves for their healthcare.

The range will only be closed for a short time. The reason for the closing is that the current contract had expaired for the holder and he chose not to apply and or renew it. The bidding is now open for anyone to apply for the contract to run the range.

Plans are for the DNR to open the range on weekends, after the first of the year I'm hearing, until a new contractor is awarded the contract for the operation of the range.

"It was constructed with nearly $5M of taxpayer money."
A little mis leading there. It was renovated useing 4.7 million of Pittman-Robertson funds.
"The operations were handed over to an individual who has since attempted to run it at a profit,"
The individual won the right to operate it by a bid . Are you suggestiong that he should have run it at a loss ?

Den57, remember this the Internet . The use of facts will only serve to confuse people.

I have only personaly used the range at Winimac and there is no cost. I have heard there is a nominal fee at kingsbury because they have a range master to controll things. I don't know why we as tax payers should have to pay more than a nominal fee to use facilities we helped fund? If there were to be a profit then the state should set back that money for use in the future. I don't think that private enterprise should have been involved.

Atterbury shooting range,reopened in May 2008 after a $4.7 million renovation.
Features: 66-station pistol and rifle range from 25 to 100 yards long, shotgun shooting area and four combination trap and skeet fields.

Does the range at Winimac , or any other state area, have the features that Atterbury has ? I don't think so. Thats the reason Indiana has such poor quality fish and wildlife areas . The hunters and fishermen of this state feel that everything should be free because they bought a lic. . Welfare at it's best . We get what we pay for.

Not true...more than willing to pay a fee!!! but not willing to get "gouged' when you/I can go some place else...

Ever buy gas at the cheapest place???? guess that's "Welfare" also...Hmmmm

And what is the price for a round of trap or skeet some place else ? Seems to me the going rate is between %4.50 and $7.00 a round .
"The range was funded entirely by tax dollars and should NEVER have been run at a profit."

" used the range at Winimac and there is no cost. I have heard there is a nominal fee at kingsbury because they have a range master to controll things."

"I don't know why we as tax payers should have to pay more than a nominal fee to use facilities"

Sure sounds like everyone is willing to pay the going rate doesn't it ? Yep,I've bought gas at the cheapest place . I bought it there because I was there when I needed it . But I'm sure not going to drive 20 miles out of my way to save 2 cents a gallon .

" Den57, remember this the Internet . The use of facts will only serve to confuse people. ".....

Ha....my bad.....

Not into alot of gun shooting . Primarily an archery guy. All I was looking at was a place to sight in shotgun and muzeloader. If I was into shooting alot than a fee simular to that of any other range would be fair, but since there was money fronted to renovate I would think that they could charge slightly less and still be able to maintain the property.

The range will be open on the weekends beginning January 2nd. The range will be staffed by DNR property personal and volunteers until a new concessionaire is contracted to run the range.

The bid process is now open to everyone that would be intrested in being the contractor to run the range. If you are intrested or know someone that would be, they need to get in touch with Atterbury F&W ASAP to get the info. on the bid package. I believe that are needing the bids by the end of next week so they can review them and have the contract awarded to the new contractor so they can take over the operation of the range ASAP.

The hours will be 9-5 on Saturdays and 12-5 on Sundays. The rates and safety rules will remain the same. Cash or checks only at this time. No debit or credit cards. No merchandise will be available at this time. If you want a clean SAFE and reasonably priced place to shoot give the range a try. Existing annual passes will be honored.

For immediate release: Jan 04, 2010
Posted by: [DNR]
Contact: Cary Schuyler
Phone: (812) 526-6552 or (812) 526-2051
Email:
Weekends only at Atterbury public shooting range
The Atterbury public shooting range is now only open on weekends. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Atterbury is currently seeking a new concessionaire to run the range. Until the role is filled, property personnel and volunteers are conducting weekend operations.

Established fees remain the same. The hourly rate on the rifle-pistol range is $7 for the first hour, and $5 for each additional hour. A round of trap or skeet on the shotgun range is $6 per round. Existing annual passes are being honored.

Cash or checks, with proper identification, are accepted. Credit and debit cards
are not accepted. There are no concessions (merchandise, soft drinks, etc.) at this time.

http://www.in.gov/portal/news_events/49564.htm